Jerwood Arts is supporting a programme of commissions and career development support for 15 emerging poets from the West Midlands, forming part of the BBC’s annual celebration of poetry and spoken word BBC Contains Strong Language.
Jon Opie, Deputy Director of Jerwood Arts said:
“After a year where many artists have seen their paid performance opportunities dry up and have faced an uncertain future, significant opportunities like this are especially vital for re-energising their careers. With the expertise of Writing West Midlands and Nine Arches Press, and the megaphone of Coventry UK City of Culture and the BBC, we have every faith this programme will provide the right conditions for talented new voices to break through.”
Contains Strong Language will be coming to Coventry in September 2021 for the biggest celebration of poetry ever seen in the region, celebrating spoken word in all its poetic forms and revealing the best existing and emerging talent from Coventry and the Midlands. The festival will take place in venues around the city from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 September 2021 via live performance, digital streaming on BBC Arts and broadcasts across all BBC radio, and TV networks.
Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 started on 15 May 2021, running for 12 months. The 365-day cultural programme will reflect Coventry as a diverse, modern city, demonstrating that culture is a force that changes lives. For a whole year, Coventry will celebrate with events, music, dance, theatre, and large-scale spectacle. It will be co-created with the people of Coventry and bring about long-term social, economic and cultural benefits.
Find out more about BBC Contains Strong Language here.
Find out more about Coventry City of Culture 2021 here.
BBC Contains Strong Language 2021 is a partnership between the BBC, Coventry City of Culture Trust, Writing West Midlands and Nine Arches Press, and is supported by Arts Council England, the British Council, Creative Lives and Jerwood Arts.
