Newham Poetry Prize
Overview
The Newham Poetry Prize is a newly established competition for those who live, study or work in Newham. Encouraging aspiring and seasoned writers alike to submit a single authored poem that references the borough.
Judges include award-winning writers Courttia Newland and Newham Poetry Prize founder Be Manzini who are passionate about encouraging more writing activity in their local borough and beyond.
The competition will support entrants with two workshops - one online, and one in-person. The workshops will give inspiration and time for participants to generate poems and information about how to submit. Participation is free for all workshops and the competition which will have a celebratory event to announce the winners.
People who are interested in learning more about Newham Poetry Prize can learn more on their Instagram page.
Workshops:
-
Date: Sunday 27 April 2025
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Location: Red Door Studios, 120 High Street South, London, E6 3RW
-
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025
Time: 17:30 - 19:00
Location: Online workshop
-
Celebratory event to announce the winners. More information to follow soon.
About the project partners
Be Manzini
Be Manzini is a writer and workshop facilitator who has been resident at the Southbank Centre and is the Director of Caramel Film Club (supporting diversity in film). Manzini was the first ever Writer in Residence for the influential and prestigious Sundance Festival. Her published work appears in various anthologies including Red edited by Kwame Dawes and she is the only UK poet to appear in the US publication Verse Wisconsin.
She has been commissioned to write for The Theatre Royal, Hoxton Hall, as well as performing for leading poetry organisations such as Apples & Snakes, Autograph B and Tamasha Theatre Company, the V&A & many more. Manzini’s poetry-films have shown at the Royal Festival Hall, ICA, BFI and various cinemas and film festivals in the UK and abroad.
What are Micro-Commissions for Newham?
In December 2024 Culture Within Newham launched a new micro-commissioning scheme for grants of up to £1,000. The first round offered commissions to artists and organisations in the Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, and Little Ilford areas. The second round of commissions was for Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich.
The micro-commissions aim to support new ideas, providing an opportunity to build experience in delivering artistic or creative projects. Meet the rest of the Micro-Commissions on their dedicated project page.
Other projects you might be interested in
