15 Best Cities for Creative 20-Somethings Other Than New York.

Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa in Iowa City draws hundreds of aspiring writers to earn MFAs to the Midwest. Thanks to historic alums, professors and visitors — literary legends from Dylan Thomas to Robert Frost have walked the campus — the UNESCO City of Literature has a boast-worthy past and present.

If you get tired of playing around with words, the Iowa Arts Festival and Iowa City Jazz Festival bring hundreds of local and national artists to Iowa City each year.

Although I might not be what the author had in mind, I definitely consider programming to be a creative endeavor.