WORK IN POETRY
*submissions closed*
(MORE NEWS ABOUT TIMESCALES ETC SOON)

As part of our 2026 festival programme, VERVE Poetry Festival is excited to launch WORK IN POETRY — an open call for emerging experimental works in live poetry and spoken word. This showcase is a space for scratch performances, works-in-progress, and interdisciplinary pieces exploring the possibilities of poetry on stage.

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What We Asked For.

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We invited proposals from poets, performers, and artists working in and around poetry developing:

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• Scratch performances or works-in-progress

• Experimental or interdisciplinary approaches

• Performance poetry that incorporates sound, movement, visuals, digital media, or audience interaction

• Projects that are part of a DYCP or other development process

• New voices pushing the boundaries of poetry on stage

• Old voices with new material.​

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What We Offer.

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• A professionally produced slot at VERVE Poetry Festival 2026

• A £300 fee per performance (solo or group)

• Basic technical support and rehearsal time

• An opportunity to perform in front of a live audience and gather feedback

• Promotion as part of the official festival programme​​​​​​
   

This is a testing ground, not a finished product. We welcome risk taking, raw edges, and creativity in development.

 

When's the scratch event?

 

Date: Friday 8th May 2026
Time: 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Birmingham Hippodrome

Fee: £300 per artist/group
Number of commissions: 4

Event type: Scratch performance showcase

 

WORK IN POETRY is part of our wider programme celebrating bold, innovative, and experimental voices in poetry and live literature.