The 2019 Spirit Award winners are Bill Turck & Kerri Kendall talk-radio show Playtime with Bill Turck & Kerri Kendall takes an irreverent look at the arts and how the arts can change the world. This award-winning show has grown a national and international audience. From music, photography, the visual arts, poetry, film, theater, dance, comedy and writing, Playtime brings you celebrity guests and up and coming artists and writers, helpful how-to’s, and more from around the world. 

Past Winners

2018

George Rawlinson, longtime CWA board member, author, publisher, and tireless advocate for Chicago and its rich literary tradition; generous supporter of our writing community; inspiration to all who have been touched by his warmth and kindness and generous, loving spirit.

2017

Suzy Takacs, owner of The Book Cellar and tireless advocate for Chicago literature and the people who create it.

2016

Donald G. Evans, founder and executive director of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame

2015

Karen Thomson (Lifetime Achievement Award), founder and director of Literature for All of Us