BCA POETRY WORKSHOP
There is an obvious gap in the literature of Aotearoa, obvious at least to those of us who know that Black folks have been on this whenua for the last fifty if not more years. Propelled by the desire to see more poetry written by black poets we held our inaugural poetry workshop in Feb 2020 with renowned American poet Sonya Renee Taylor.
With support from the Mātātuhi Foundation a detailed process was outlined that invited applicants to join a lively workshop session with Sonya; complete a draft of a poem and receive feedback from experienced novelists; and finally, submit to an established literary journal.
This workshop was a first and we hope to continue to offer poetry workshops on an annual basis. Applicants who are involved in the workshop then join a dedicated poets group to continue developing skills and share work.
Our next Poetry Workshop (pending funding) will be held at the end of this year and a call out will be made in October. Please subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with all our opportunities.
TESTIMONIALS
"I had the pleasure of being part of a poetry workshop in February 2020 with the incomparable Sonya Renee Taylor arranged by Black Creatives Aotearoa. To learn from someone so accomplished who uses their platform to effect change was something I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams! In those few hours I rediscovered my love for writing and learned new skills to add to my writing toolkit. Most importantly, I left with a full heart, smile and gratitude to have spent the afternoon with talented, kind and dynamic women who many I now call friends.
Shalane Williams
The BCA poetry workshop gave me not only a feeling of relief, but also room to grow as a writer, and space for artistic hopes. It was a beautiful korero and has driven my inspiration for my mahi forward immensely.
Doroteia Driver