Young creatives

• 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
• Meet with a community of fellow artists at the Barbican

• Produce a portfolio of work and feature in a published anthology
• Have the opportunity to perform at the Barbican, or offer an alternative representation of the work and thinking developed through your time on the programme, e.g. a facilitated session or presentation
• Access optional projects/workshops that connect to other Barbican artists and art forms
• Note: participants are at times encouraged to create work based on introspection and self-reflection. We do our best to create a safe space for everyone accepted on to the programme. If you'd like to talk about this in more detail, please get in touch. Email [email protected] with ‘Barbican Young Poets’ in the subject line.

• Aged 16-30
• 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
• Committed to the programme
• Barbican Young Poets aims to include and represent a diversity of approaches and voices. We particularly encourage applications from people who are from groups under-represented in the arts sector, and consider applicants’ ethnicity, disability, gender, and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Applications are now closed.
• You're welcome to submit a film/audio recording of your answers to the three questions in the form about your artistic work. For all other questions please write in the form.
• You may also submit links and recordings of poetic work, but please include the text version of these for reference.
• If you have any other special access requirements relating to the application process or programme, please get in touch! Email [email protected] with ‘Barbican Young Poets’ in the subject line

Barbican Young Poets sessions will run at the Barbican Centre every other Wednesday evening, 6-8:30pm, from 20 October 2021 – 4 May 2022.

You'll present work at a showcase at the Barbican Centre on the weekend of 7 – 8 May 2022 (all day).

A plenary session will take place Wednesday 18 May.

We have a bursary fund available that can assist in covering the cost of travel, childcare, Wi-Fi or other costs that would prevent your application or participation.

Download the bursary scheme guidance

Download the bursary scheme guidance in large print

• The Barbican Young Poets 2021-22 programme will run at the Barbican Centre, when Public Health England and Barbican Centre policy allows this, and we’d expect participants to be available to attend in person.
• However, some sessions might be run online if public health guidance changes. We will aim to be as flexible as possible, recognising some participants might have particular COVID-related health or social reasons for not always being able to attend in person, with exceptions considered for those who may require alternative arrangements due to (mental and/or physical) health concerns – we’ll aim to be as flexible as possible.
• Please read the Barbican’s Essential Safety Information page for the latest measures we have in place.
• If we are required to adhere to a lockdown or increased social distancing measures, we will review the programme and consider how best to adapt this for online delivery within the schedule.