National Poetry Centre

The National Poetry Centre is the brainchild of the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. Despite a 1500-year history at the heart of British cultural life, poetry has never had its own dedicated HQ. We intend to change that. 

Between now and 2028 we intend to: 
• Rescue an iconic disused church and former nightclub in the heart of Leeds, and transform it into a cultural centre that will provide activities linked to poetry, literature, literacy and learning 
• Establish the country’s first dedicated national headquarters for poetry, attracting visitors from Yorkshire as well as across the UK and beyond 
• Provide a hub for awards, events, major performances, exhibitions, workshops, open-mic nights, a library, study areas, collections and archives 
• Establish a unique public space where visitors from all backgrounds and cultures can express their thoughts and feelings in written and spoken words 
• Utilise poetry as a means to unlock interest in reading and writing and help people of all ages to develop their literacy skills

We are committed to diversity, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community, we particularly encourage applications from disabled and ethnically diverse backgrounds as these groups are currently underrepresented within the arts and culture sectors.