A visionary project
The National Poetry Centre will be based in Leeds and reaching out to the world – bringing people together from every community in every corner of the UK.
Poetry is the most accessible and democratic of art forms – common to all languages and cultures. A national centre will elevate the position of poetry in national life, becoming the spiritual home for poetry as it is written, read, spoken and performed – up and down the country.
The National Poetry Centre is the flagship project of my laureateship. I want Yorkshire to offer a home to poetry and to host a venue of international significance, a national poetry HQ that will be the pride of the region.
Simon Armitage
Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom
A spiritual Home for Poetry
From 2027 the National Poetry Centre will inhabit a landmark heritage building – breathing life back into the historic Trinity St David’s, creating a vibrant public space in celebration of poetry around the UK. The National Poetry Centre will house an auditorium, cafés, performances areas, exhibitions, archives, libraries, shared work spaces and much more.
It will be at the heart of a major national programme of literacy and emotional wellbeing for children and young people, focussed on poetry.
A PLATFORM FOR VOICES IN EVERY community in every corner of the UK
Partnership is everything
We can only deliver this transformational project by working in partnership with a wide range of people and organisations across the UK. We are delighted that significant major partners have already come together to help make the National Poetry Centre a reality including Leeds City Council, University of Leeds and Arts Council England.
In coming months we will be announcing further significant partners working with us to connect with people and communities across Leeds, West Yorkshire and the UK.
We want to hear from you too. To find out more or to discuss partnerships please do contact us:
The National Poetry Centre is proudly working together with:
News
DEPT OF LEVELLING UP ANNOUNCES £5M TO HELP CREATE POETRY’S FIRST NATIONAL CULTURAL HEADQUARTERS IN LEEDS
The Dept of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced £5 million of support for the development of the National Poetry Centre in Leeds.
The centre is the brainchild of Yorkshire-based Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and will be the lasting legacy of his tenure – a buzzing national hub promoting poetry, literacy, oracy and learning for people from all cultures and backgrounds.
The project has taken four years to develop and was made possible thanks to the unwavering support of our partners Arts Council England, the University of Leeds, Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority who have backed and encouraged the NPC through the pandemic. The funding will enable the centre to go forward with plans for capital development whilst devising a programme of poetry activities across the country.
The award from DLUHC will help create the country’s first dedicated national headquarters for poetry – a unique space for awards, events, study areas, major performances, exhibitions, workshops, gatherings, literary organisations, open-mic nights, a library, state-of-the-art collections and archives. A place where visitors can find new ways to express their thoughts and feelings in written and spoken words.
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage said: “My highest ambition when appointed Poet Laureate was to create a national home for poetry in my native West Yorkshire. The award of five million pounds from the Dept of Levelling Up is a huge step forward in the building of the National Poetry Centre in Leeds. I’m thrilled that so many people see the good and the sense in this idea, and I am excited to be confidently planning the next stage of development.”
NPC Chair Ruth Pitt said: “We could not be happier. We met the Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove recently and were struck by his understanding of the value of poetry to inspire people and provide a platform for self-expression irrespective of their educational background or experiences. Our country’s poetry heritage goes back thousands of years and has produced some of the world’s most distinguished poets, as a cultural art form it’s an important part of our national identity – and the National Poetry Centre will give poetry its very own dedicated national cultural centre at last.”
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Team
Ruth Pitt
Chair
Ruth is a specialist in film and TV production growth outside London. She is Director of the Creative Cities Convention and Managing Director of Under The Moon Ltd, developing creative diversity in the screen sector.
Simon Armitage
Trustee
Simon is current national Poet Laureate and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. He has written extensively for television and theatre and has was won numerous awards including the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry.
Pervinder Kaur
Trustee
Pervinder is a partner of law firm Addleshaw Goddard, leading their Private Capital Group, and is Head of their Leeds office.
Prof. Frank Finlay
Trustee
Frank was the Dean of Cultural Engagement at the University of Leeds until 2023. He was a trustee of Leeds 2023 and Chair of the Tetley Gallery.
Lily Jane Stead
Administration Manager
Lily is an experienced production manager and administrator within the creative sector, with previous experience in the television industry.
Kate Southam
Research and Administrative Assistant
Kate is a recent graduate from the University of Leeds and specialises in engaging young people in poetry.
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Lily Jane Stead
Administration Manager
Lily is an experienced production manager and administrator within the creative sector, with previous experience in the television industries.
