New Poets Collective
Supporting emerging poets from diverse backgrounds
With support from the TS Eliot Foundation, our New Poets Collective recruits a new cohort of poets every year, helping them to hone their voice.
Are you a poet aged 22+, resident in the UK, who has not yet published your first collection?
Apply by 12 noon, Wednesday 10 July 2024 to be part of the Southbank Centre’s New Poets Collective 2024/2025.
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 lead monthly sessions for the group, alongside special guest poets. 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. We want the collective to grow, develop and forge friendships together, so our sessions are delivered in person and not via a hybrid virtual delivery model.
The programme culminates in presentations at the London Literature Festival 2025 and 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.
Before you apply
We are looking for a group of poets aged 22+* who represent our diverse communities. 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). They should have an interest in all forms of poetry, both on the page and in performance.
This is an annual programme with a new group of poets chosen every year.
* This is a suggested minimum age. There is no upper age limit.
Application process
We welcome poets working across all poetry genres, including page, spoken word, Instagram poetry and visual poetry.
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. You can also send us attachments in the form of PDF documents.
Access
If you would like to apply but have difficulty using a Google Form and associated technology, or have specific access needs, please contact the Creative Engagement Manager (Emerging Artists) by emailing [email protected] to discuss alternative application methods.
Timetable
The next cohort of the New Poets Collective starts during the London Literature Festival in October 2024. Participants are invited to monthly creative and industry insight sessions over the course of a year, delivered on-site on Saturdays here at the Southbank Centre. Occasionally, we may meet outside London in collaboration with one of our regional partner organisations.
Members of the New Poets Collective have opportunities to perform here at the Southbank Centre. These are scheduled in accordance with our wider artistic planning.
Exact schedule to be confirmed.
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.
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 interview via Zoom, before the final selection is confirmed.
We aim to notify final successful candidates by Tuesday 1 October 2024.
Applications close on Wednesday 10 July 2024
If you have any queries about the New Poets Collective, or questions about your application, please contact the Creative Engagement Manager (Emerging Artists).