New Poets Collective
Are you a poet aged 22+, resident in the UK, who has not yet published your first collection?
We are looking for up to 16 poets who can flourish as part of the New Poets Collective. Whether you are still finding your voice, or are on the cusp of developing your work for the page and stage, we want to hear from you.
Lead tutors Vanessa Kisuule and Will Harris and special guest poets lead monthly in-person sessions for the collective. These sessions are designed to help the group’s members develop as versatile creative artists with skills and confidence across a range of genres, from page poetry to performative poetry and spoken word.
The New Poets Collective is a free programme run with the support of the TS Eliot Foundation. We especially welcome applications from under-represented communities: Black, Asian and Ethnically Diverse poets, LGBTQI+ poets, disabled or neurodiverse poets, and poets from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
The programme culminates with presentations at the London Literature Festival, and the production of a zine. It also includes industry insight sessions designed to provide tools for this group of emerging poets to build their writing careers in the years ahead.
Interested?
The deadline for applications to be part of our New Poets Collective 2024/25 has now passed. Information about the 2025/26 Collective will be available in early 2025.
If you’ve any questions about the New Poets Collective, or questions about your application, please contact our Creative Engagement team.
About the Programme
Eligibility
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The suggested minimum age is for poets over 22 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
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Applicants must be resident in the UK and must not yet have had a collection of poetry published by a professional publishing company (we will accept applicants from self-published poets).
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We welcome poets working in all poetry genres, including page, spoken word, Instagram poetry and visual poetry.
Application process
We will ask you to answer a few questions about why you want to be part of the New Poets Collective. We will also ask you to submit two examples of your poetry. These can be in written form, or as links to video or audio files, or websites.
Costs
The New Poets Collective programme is free to successful applicants based in the UK. Each successful applicant receives a bursary of £500 towards travel, food and caring responsibilities.
Timetable
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The programme begins October 2024.
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Monthly creative insight sessions are delivered on Saturdays at Southbank Centre.
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Performance opportunities are available throughout the year – exact schedule to be confirmed.
Access
Should you need to discuss alternative application methods please email us.
Selection process
Applications are processed by a selection panel made up of Vanessa Kisuule, Will Harris and members of the Southbank Centre’s Literature, National Poetry Library and Creative Engagement teams.
A maximum of 25 shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short assignment and invited to attend a workshop, and in some cases an online interview, before the final selection is confirmed.
We aim to notify successful candidates by Tuesday 1 October, 2024.
Meet the Tutors
Vanessa Kisuule is a writer and performer based in Bristol.
Will Harris is a writer of Chinese Indonesian and British heritage, born and based in London.