What you'll gain

• Receive mentorship from world-famous poets and performers
• Develop your style and approach to the written word
• Grow your critical skills in a supportive creative space
• Connect with a community of fellow artists 

What you'll do

• Produce a portfolio of work and feature in a published anthology.
• Perform at the Barbican and have a chance to develop alternative representations of your work including e.g. facilitating a session of your own devising, delivering a presentation or creating a multimedia piece.
• Access optional projects/workshops on an ad-hoc basis that connect to other Barbican artists and art forms.

What we're looking for

• Young people aged 16-29.
• Those who have a passion for the written and/or spoken word (irrespective of any other qualifications).
• Open-minded, enthusiastic, ready to try something new.
• Keen to challenge yourself and support others around you in doing the same.
• Willing to explore what it means to be an active member of a creative community.
• Interest in exploring new and different possibilities for showcasing poetry and/or spoken word.
• Committed to the programme schedule and deadlines.

The selection process

• Fill in this online application form by Mon 28 October, 10:30am.
• Filmed/audio recorded answers to questions 9-12 in Section 4 of the form are welcome. Links and recordings of poetic works are accepted, but please also include their text versions for reference. For all other questions please write in the form. 
• If you do not include answers in sections 1-3 it will affect the outcome of your application as this is essential info.
• Once applications are reviewed, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a recruitment workshop which serves as a chance for our team to get to know you within the context of the group setting as well as for you to get a taste of the programme itself and if it’s right for you. We will also hold an online recruitment workshop for those who are unable to attend in person and shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a member of the team if they want to.
• After the recruitment workshop, a panel made up of Jacob Sam-La Rose, Blair Davis (Young Creatives Producer) and Rikky Onefeli (Assistant Young Creative Producer) will decide the final cohort, based on the information from the written application and workshop.
• If you have any questions or have access requirements relating to the application process or programme, please get in touch! Email [email protected] with ‘Barbican Young Poet’ In the subject line.

Schedule

• Barbican Young Poets sessions at the Barbican Centre: every other Wednesday, 6:45-9pm, from January 2025 – June 2025, with 3 x longer Saturday sessions over the course of the programme.
• Present your work at a showcase at the Barbican Centre:  either on 21st or 22nd June 2025 (all day). 
• Evaluation and feedback session: 25 June 2025. 
• Anthology launch of your published works later in the year.
• Other optional sessions offered throughout the year.

General information

• Barbican Young Poets is a hybrid programme.
• We encourage and will support you to attend in-person if able to, but participation via video conference is there when you need e.g., for mental and/or physical health conditions, disabilities, or if feeling unwell/testing positive for Covid.
• Your ability to participate in the programme, whether in-person or online, does not affect your application. 
• The programme takes place in step-free spaces with accessible toilets on the floors above and below that are accessible by stairs and lift.
• We do not have fragrance-free areas, though we do encourage people to be mindful of how strong fragrances may adversely affect others. 
• The programme is generally relaxed in nature, meaning stimming and tics are welcome, and people can leave the space if they need to. There are opportunities for regular breaks during sessions and we aim to ensure quieter spaces are available nearby. 
• This programme is not currently BSL interpreted.

Bursaries

A bursary fund is available to assist in covering the cost of travel, childcare, Wi-Fi, or other costs that would prevent your application or participation. 

• Bursary Information
• Download the bursary application form
• Download the bursary application form - large print

Covid-19 impact

• We strongly encourage you to stay home if you feel unwell or test positive for Covid, and to always be mindful before encroaching on other’s personal space.
• We’re aware there may be members of the group with Covid-related health vulnerabilities/anxieties.  and will check-in on a regular basis to ascertain the ongoing needs of both individuals and the group re: mask-wearing, ventilation, etc.
• The programme will take place wholly online if there is a lockdown or be adapted if increased social distancing measures are required.