About Poetry Can
Poetry Can was established in March 1995 as a registered charity aiming to encourage as many people as possible within the Bristol and Bath areas to get involved in poetry activity.
Poetry Can is still based in Bristol but now supports the development of poetry in South Gloucestershire and through its websites across the whole of the South West region.
The aims of Poetry Can are:
- To increase opportunities for everyone to participate in and enjoy poetry, through a strategic programme of events and projects.
- To initiate work in which poetry's role in lifelong learning is explored and extended.
- To support the creative and professional development of poets of all ages and levels of experience.
- To promote its activities on a national level.
Poetry Can believes that being involved in poetry can benefit everyone, and that it has a valuable role in social, cultural and personal development.
Poetry Can works to develop poetry in essentially three ways:
Events
Poetry Can presents several high profile public events in the course of each year, including the Bristol Poetry Festival in September.
Bristol Poetry Festival brings together the best international, national, regional and local poets in a celebration of poetry.
Bristol Poetry Festival 2006 included: Brendan Kennelly, Germaine Greer, Carol Ann Duffy, U A Fanthorpe, Gabeba Baderoon, Yan Lian, W N Herbert, Polly Clark, Helen Farish, David Harsent, Robin Robertson, Caitriona O'Reilly, Jane Yeh, Fiona Hamilton, Linda Lamus, Paralalia (David Johnson and Peter Hunter), Bristol Poetry Festival Poetry Slam: The Three Nations Slam, Apples & Snakes EXPOSED tour featuring: Claire Williamson, David J., David "Stickman" Higgins, PolarBear, Yusra Warsama, special guest Sara Jane Arbury, open floors and much, much more…
Bristol Poetry Festival 2005 included: Wendy Cope, Helen Dunmore, Dennis O'Driscoll, Ciaran Carson, Jo Shapcott, Kathleen Jamie, Michael Symmons Roberts, Sean O'Brien, Brendan Cleary, Helen Ivory, Jacob Polley, Moniza Alvi, Dorothea Smartt, John Stammers, Francesca Beard, Greta Stoddart, Ross Barber, Lucy English, Martin Figura, Sarah Law, Bristol Poetry Festival Slam: The Temptation Slam, open floors and much, much more
Bristol Poetry Festival 2004 included: Maura Dooley, Michael Rosen, Brian Patten, Matthew Sweeney, Liz Lochhead, Jean Binta Breeze, John Agard, Don Paterson, Jean Sprackfield, Julia Copus, Chloe Poems, Neil Rollinson, Matt Harvey, Paul Farley, Alicia Stubbersfield, Rose Flint, Sundra, Bristol Poetry Festival Poetry Slam, open floors and much, much more
Poetry Can also runs Can Openers monthly public poetry readings, which offer regular platforms for upcoming poets to read and develop their work, as well as open platforms for poets to try out new work. These events take place in both Bath and Bristol.
Poetry Can supports and promotes Poetry Events across the South West through its website and monthly bulletins.
Education
Poetry Can initiates and manages a number of poetry based education activities and projects, which help bring poetry into the community and develop new audiences.
READ MORE...
Information, Advice & Support
Poetry Can provides information, advice and support to individuals, groups, agencies and organisations interested in any aspect of poetry or poetry activity.
As well as providing ad hoc information, advice and support we also offer:
Poetry Surgeries - usually last about 90 minutes, are structured and designed to meet the interests and developmental needs of individual people.
The Poetry Can Website aims to provide comprehensive, up to date information of poetry activity in the South West as well as relevant national and international information.
Literature South West Website aims to provide comprehensive, up to date information of literature activity in the region.
Poetry Can e-Bulletin a monthly e-bulletin containing news, events and information. Snail mailed on request.
At all times the focus is on equal opportunities for everyone.
Equal Opportunities Policy
April 2006 - March 2009
Statement of Intent
Poetry Can, in all areas of its activities, will aim to treat all people equally.
Poetry Can believes that human beings are characterised by diversity and aims in all its activities to give expression to that diversity.
Poetry Can recognises that people still face discrimination on the grounds (both singularly and in combination) of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality or religion.
Poetry Can is opposed to such discrimination and aims to eliminate discriminatory practice. (download full policy)
Poetry Can Staff
Director – Colin Brown
Admin – Peter Hunter
Poetry Can Board Members
Polly Moyer
Adam Pushkin
Catharine Stott
Caleb Parkin
Jo Goldsworthy
Linda Lamus
Advisory Board Members
Elizabeth White
Rachel Bentham
