Poetry creates transformative experiences and enriches people’s lives. Access to poetry – whether as a writer, reader or audience member – is therefore paramount.
Unlike many other creative writing providers, all our educational activities are subsidised and we operate a charitable rather than commercial model – prioritising impact over income. Over recent years we have significantly expanded the amount of free activity we produce and our hardship bursaries scheme has experienced unprecedented demand, with bursary awards nearly quadrupling.
Generous donations from individuals and charitable bodies such as the Arts Council contribute towards our grants and bursaries scheme every year ensuring that those who might not otherwise be able to access our courses can participate.
This is how it works – we fund up to 75% of a course cost for those students who need it.
• £130 will enable a bursary student to complete a 10 week face-to-face course
• £80 funds a hardship student to take a 10 week online course.
We are committed to ensuring that poetry is for everyone, regardless of social or economic background. We are only able to offer this funding thanks to the generosity of many of our students and other donors.
‘The Poetry School bursary was invaluable. I was able to learn and develop as a poet. My work was pushed further and I feel I’m now at a very different stage from when I started. I felt supported and received great tuition that would not have been possible without the bursary. I’m incredibly grateful to the Poetry School and to those who donate.’ – 2015 Bursary Recipient (25)
If you would like to help make poetry accessible to everyone by giving a donation to the Poetry School, please click here.
By actively increasing the pathways to artistic development and reflecting the full diversity of creative talent available, we can bring together the very best artists and poets we have to offer and significantly contribute towards the long and vibrant future of contemporary poetry and its continuing cultural importance.
We value all our donors and are incredibly grateful for their support. Your generosity enables us to do more and enables more people to write, to create and to explore.
We make sure every donation we receive counts, our core costs are supported by the Arts Council so that each penny of your donation can be focused on supporting those areas of our work that broaden access to poetry writing and reading activities, such as –
• Hardship Bursaries – ensuring that everyone no matter what their circumstances can have access to the courses of the Poetry School.
• Concessionary rates – for the over 60s, under 25’s and those on means tested benefits
• CAMPUS – As well as being the home of our online courses CAMPUS is a social network for poets. CAMPUS is jam-packed with high quality resources, essays, interviews and media content on the art of writing and reading poetry. Our Digital Poet in Residence interacts with the community and free monthly workshops are led by experienced poets. CAMPUS is free to join, you don’t even need to take a class to sign up and participate. Donations help us maintain and develop this excellent resource for poets everywhere.
• Supporting Opportunities for Poets of Talent – The work of the Poetry School extends far beyond the classroom to take in live events, readings, publishing, editing and collaborative projects. We believe that if the poet’s work is good enough then it merits payment in some form. As such we actively work to develop poets’ careers to the point where they are able to earn money from their talents and we support a broadening of the ‘poetry economy’. Without your support we can’t make this happen.
A gift of just £5 a month will help fund a hardship bursary and enable someone who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to develop their work as a poet. We are incredibly grateful to all our donors.
The easiest way to give is online and you can choose to give a set amount every month, which helps us plan even more exciting poetry projects, or a one-off gift. Don’t forget to tick the GiftAid box if you are a UK tax payer. We can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give.
If you would like to discuss getting involved further in supporting the work of the Poetry School, do not hesitate to contact Isy Mead, our Artistic Director, at – [email protected]
To help guarantee the future of poetry click here to support us.
After you have taken care of your friends and family leaving a legacy gift to a charity can be a tax efficient way to continue supporting works or causes about which you are passionate. A gift of this nature to the Poetry School – no matter its size – has a huge impact on our work.
As a registered charity gifts from to the Poetry School from your estate are exempt from Inheritance Tax and may thereby reduce the amount of tax paid. For more information regarding legacy gifts please contact your tax adviser or visit the Legacy 10 website.
If you wish to leave us a gift you do not have to inform us of your decision, however, if you would like to tell us we would be delighted to thank you personally and keep you informed about our charitable work.
Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your options further. Isy Mead our Artistic Director will be delighted to hear from you – [email protected].
Thank you.