Key West has reached a pivotal moment in its bid to join the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), successfully clearing the first two major hurdles. Recently, the U.S. State Department designated Key West as one of only two cities nationwide eligible to apply in 2025-an exclusive recognition that underscores the city’s unique cultural significance. Following this endorsement, Key West officially submitted its application in March 2025, with the successful completion of UNESCO’s rigorous technical review further solidifying its prospects.
Leading the charge for The City of Key West is the Old Island Restoration Foundation-Key West’s dedicated steward of architectural and intangible heritage for 60 years-alongside a coalition of the city’s foremost literary, cultural and educational institutions. Together, we aim to secure an international distinction that would celebrate Key West’s unparalleled literary legacy and amplify our cultural and economic influence worldwide.
For generations, Key West has served as a creative haven for literary luminaries, including Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, Annie Dillard, and more than a dozen Pulitzer Prize winners and Poet Laureates. The UCCN fosters global collaboration through the arts and creativity, unlocking pathways to sustainable resilient growth through enriching cultural exchange.
Mayor DeeDee Henriquez emphasized the economic and artistic impact of literature, stating, “Writing is the heartbeat of Key West, shaping both its identity and economy. From authors to artisans, the literary arts sustain countless livelihoods. Earning a place in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network would elevate Key West’s global profile while strengthening its creative industries.”
UNESCO Committee Chair Nance Frank echoed this sentiment, underscoring the deeper purpose behind the bid: “Key West’s literary heritage is not merely a historic footnote-it is a living, breathing force that defines the city’s essence. Our goal is to share its story with the world and further integrate our cultural legacy into an international framework.”
Since its founding in 2004, the UCCN has recognized cities that seamlessly weave culture and creativity into sustainable development strategies. With membership applications accepted only once every four years, the network currently includes 350 cities across 100+ countries. If Key West is approved in late 2025, it would join just nine U.S. cities in this prestigious collective-further cementing its position as a global cultural powerhouse.
Key West Advances Toward UNESCO Creative Cities Designation
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