Poet in the City is a leading producer of poetry shows, community commissions and talent development. We listen to the stories that matter to communities and transform these into theatrical and adventurous poetry productions in arts venues and everyday spaces. We create local networks and creative teams, leaving a legacy for cultural development and skills, and locally relevant work. Our trailblazing approach to producing live poetry is complemented by a sector-leading young producers programme.
Poet in the City connects people and places through poetry. We help people and places tell their stories, create access to challenging ideas, attract radically new audiences, brings about social and behavioural change, and create awe-inspiring large-scale entertainment. From poetry in libraries to arts centres, car parks to community venues and festivals to music halls, we present poets who can enlarge our worlds. At any moment, you might find us transforming a public library with dub poetry and sound systems, taking over a train station with poetry tickets and buskers, presenting poetry to thousands of people under the St Paul’s Cathedral dome or celebrating the stories of communities through cultural placemaking work.
Audiences are at the heart of Poet in the City; we work with a thriving community of volunteers who are involved in all aspects of our work, deliver creative audience participation programmes and lead a producers scheme for 16-25 year olds to train the next generation of poetry producers.
