The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis celebrates its 40th anniversary with an unusual event. It's called “40 for 40” and features 40 different activities across the Twin Cities over the course of 40 hours. MPR’s Arts reporter Marianne Combs discusses the event with All Thing’s Considered host Tom Crann.

The Loft is a resource for writers of all ages and skill levels. It offers classes, workshops, and one-on-one critiques. It's located in Open Book in Minneapolis - which is also home to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and the publishing house Milkweed Editions, but 40 years ago it started out in the upstairs of a Dinkytown bookstore run by Marly Rusoff. She created a simple gathering space for writers like Robert Bly, Patricia Hampl and Garrison Keillor. Over the years it's grown into one of the nation's largest literary centers, it's helped launch the careers of numerous authors, and its presence is a key reason the Twin Cities are often noted for being a literary oasis.