Poetry Month X: Become a Poetry Month Co-Curator
Every August, Poetry Month brings together poets, communities and audiences from across the country to celebrate the many ways poetry lives and moves through Australia. From readings and performances to workshops, collaborations and unexpected activations, the program reflects the incredible diversity of voices shaping contemporary poetry today.
In 2026, Red Room Poetry is inviting communities to play a role in shaping the national celebration.
Introducing Poetry Month X, a new initiative designed to support community-led poetry events as part of the 2026 Poetry Month program. Recognising the energy and already thriving across the continent, Poetry Month X offers an opportunity for collectives, organisations and independent producers to co-curate a Poetry Month activation in partnership with Red Room Poetry.
As part of this program, four community-produced events or activations will receive $1,000 in support, helping amplify poetry in Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory. The funding is intended to contribute towards artist fees and production costs, supporting local organisers to bring their ideas to life during Poetry Month.
Selected projects will also receive a range of promotional and production support from Red Room Poetry. This includes a featured listing on the Red Room Poetry website and the official Poetry Month Calendar, promotion across Red Room Poetry’s digital channels and access to a dedicated marketing toolkit with Poetry Month branding. Successful applicants will also connect with a Red Room Poetry Producer through a briefing meeting to discuss logistics, final line-ups and promotional copy.
While the Poetry Month X program replaces the previous Poetry Month Community Calendar micro-grants, the Poetry Month Calendar will continue to showcase poetry events from across Australia throughout August, highlighting the vibrant ecosystem of readings, performances and gatherings happening nationwide.
Poetry Month has always been powered by collaboration: poets, presenters, organisations and audiences. Poetry Month X builds on this spirit by bringing community curators along for the celebration.
If you have an idea for an event, gathering or creative activation that brings poetry to life in your community, this is your chance to help shape Poetry Month 2026.
Applications are now open and close Tuesday, 31 March at 5pm AEDT. You can read all of the guidelines, find out if you are eligible to apply and read frequently asked questions here.
