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'Poetry changes lives. In Australia, we have been slow to acknowledge or champion this fact: we have no poet laureate, and rarely is poetry publicly celebrated, even by those who otherwise champion the arts. A national poetry month is long overdue.'

~ Sarah Holland-Batt

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We will make them together of grasses and winds
We find along the river of time, made of smooth stone
~ Joy Harjo and Ali Cobby Eckermann from 'Story Tree'

Poetry Month (1–31 August) is a new initiative presented by Red Room Poetry to increase the profile of Australian poetry, poets and publishers.

Our goal is to increase access, awareness, value and visibility of poetry in all its forms and for all audiences. The inaugural Poetry Month will be held during August 2021 with the aim of an ongoing annual celebration.

The Poetry Month 2021 program features an electrifying lineup of poetic collaborations, daily poems and writing prompts, online workshops, poetic residencies and live to live-streamed showcases, designed to engage everyone – from veteran poetry lovers to the (for now!) uninitiated.

There's so much more to come! Our Poetry Month Calendar is your one-stop-shop for all things happening in August. And if you're planning a poetry reading, workshop or backyard ballad in August, the Calendar is also a free platform to promote your upcoming events.


Discover Poetry Month 2021

Launching Poetry Month | Sunday 21 March 2021 (World Poetry Day)
Featuring the Fair Trade poetic collaboration with Ali Cobby Eckermann and US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo alongside readings by poets Evelyn Araluen, Eileen Chong, Jaya Savige, Phil Wilcox and Caitlin Maling; and performances by musician Ben Salter, comedian Vidya Rajan and spoken-word artist Luka Lesson.

Poetry Month is constantly evolving. If you’d like to contact us in regards to possible partnerships or sponsorship – or how your organisation can be involved, please email us at poetrymonth@redroompoetry.org

Partners and Supporters

Poetry Month is proudly supported by the Oranges & Sardines Foundation, Red Room Poetry's Commissioning Circle and other generous partners

  • Australian Council of the Arts

  • Create NSW

  • Cultural Fund

  • City of Sydney