SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival

Arts Council; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A local arts organization seeks a dedicated Poet-in-Residence for SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival. This three-day role in April 2026 involves conducting workshops in Plymouth's north, engaging with community groups, and performing at local events. Ideal candidates should bring a strong background in poetry, a passion for community engagement, and be adept in refining the public's perception of poetry. A fee of £900 plus travel and accommodation support is offered. This is a freelance position.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable career in poetry or spoken word.
• Experience in teaching poetry workshops.
• Enthusiasm for Plymouth's literary scene.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver workshops focusing on poetry for families and adults.
• Attend and perform at local poetry events.
• Act as an ambassador for the festival and the city.

Skills

Experience in poetry/spoken word

Experience in designing and delivering poetry workshops

Excellent communication skills

Ability to form connections quickly

Job description

Poet-in-Residence - SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival

Job Summary

Plymouth Poetry Festival is recruiting for a poet-in-residence to spend three days in Plymouth over the festival week in April 2026 working with community groups in the north of the city, as well as running a workshop for the general public and performing at locally run events.

Job Description

SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival takes place between 10th - 19th April 2026 and is seeking a poet-in-residence to work with families from underrepresented Plymouth communities across three days during the festival.

The chosen writer will run workshops with families in the north of the city exploring poetry as a means of self-expression and creativity. The poet will be invited to attend and perform at community-led events, and run a workshop of their choosing with the general public.

For your role as poet-in-residence, you will receive:

• £900 payment for the three-day residency
• £750 towards your travel, accommodation, and any other associated costs

This is a freelance role, and you will be responsible for paying any necessary income tax on these earnings.

About the Festival

Sound: Plymouth Poetry Festival was conceived by Mimi Jones, Poppy-Jayne Jones and Jonah Corren. In 2026, these three independent poetry producers are collaborating with Literature Works, Plymouth Octopus Project and Plymouth City Council.

• Design and deliver a series of 3 workshops for families/adults which introduce them to the idea of using poetry for self-expression and describing their experiences (to be delivered during your 3-day residency in Plymouth)
• Design and deliver one workshop for adults on a theme of your choosing (to be delivered during your 3-day residency in Plymouth)
• Attend one or more grassroots local poetry nights in Plymouth, meet local poets and organisers, and perform a short feature set (to be delivered during your 3-day residency in Plymouth)
• Produce a short piece of work which speaks to your experience at the festival or in Plymouth (to be completed at a pre-determined date after your residency has ended)
• Act as an ambassador for the festival, and the city, online and in poetry spaces (throughout the 3-day residency and beyond)

The £900 fee is for three full 8-hour days at a rate of £250/day (£31.25 p/h), plus a £150 fee for a performance at a community event during the festival.

Job Responsibilities

• A demonstrable career in poetry/spoken word which provides a platform to be an ambassador for the festival
• Demonstrable experience in designing and delivering poetry workshops for adults/families
• A clear enthusiasm for getting to know and love Plymouth, and become an advocate for its potential as a destination for literature
• Excellent written and in-person communication skills
• The ability to get to know people and form connections with them quickly
• Some pre-existing connection to Plymouth or the Southwest (desirable)

Job Details

Job Title: Poet-in-Residence - SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival

Organisation: SOUND: Plymouth Poetry Festival

Postcode: EX2 4AN

How to Apply

Please email with the following:

• A creative CV (no more than three sides of A4)
• A covering letter (no more than two sides of A4)
• NB: Please ensure your cover letter includes a vision of how you will engage people from underrepresented communities in writing poetry, especially those who may have experienced barriers to the arts or have negative preconceptions about poetry not being ‘for them.’

A festival championing Plymouth's poetry scene, developing Plymouth as a destination for arts and culture, and introducing new people to poetry as a form of self expression, creativity and artistic excellence.