Centered around the National Poetry Library, the Southbank Centre New Poets Collective will comprise a group of 16 poets aged 22+ who, under the leadership of poets and Poetry School friends and tutors Vanessa Kisuule and Will Harris, will hone their skills and expand their knowledge and confidence.

The New Poets Collective is a free programme. 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. Successful applicants receive a bursary of £500 towards travel, food and caring responsibilities.

The New Poets Collective will begin at the London Literature Festival in October 2024. Over the course of a year, the group will develop creatively while drawing upon - and contributing to - the rich and varied artistic life of the Southbank Centre. Tutors Vanessa and Will, alongside special guest poets, will lead monthly sessions 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.

To be eligible, you must reside in the UK (at least until November 2025), and not yet have had a solo collection published by a professional publishing company (if you have self-published a collection, you may still apply).

Find out more and apply here. 

Deadline: Wednesday 10 July 2024 at 12 noon