First Steps Poetry, now in its second year, is calling 12 young poets aged 16-25 to dive into a lively programme of poetry, storytelling, and creative development.
Reviving Birmingham Hippodrome’s long tradition of supporting emerging poets, over the span of three months, the cohort will be led Birmingham’s Poet Laureate, Ayan Aden, and acclaimed poet, Sipho Eric Ndlovu through inspiring workshops and masterclasses.
The cohort will be invited to refine their craft, explore new poetic ideas, and experiment with how other art forms can amplify their storytelling and performance. They will also receive free tickets to live events, including Birmingham Hippodrome’s Origins Festival and other multi-disciplinary performances.
At the end of the programme, their work will be showcased at Birmingham Hippodrome and in the city, giving each poet a strong platform to step confidently into the Birmingham arts scene.
Bring us your passion, your curiosity, your appetite for the unexpected. If you’re ready to experiment, take risks, and make something extraordinary, we want to hear your voice!
To express your interest, please fill in the application here.
Application closes on 10am on Thursday 26th March 2026.
Remember: previous experience is not required. This programme is for those who love poetry and are curious about how the craft can be reimagined. We’re especially keen to hear from poets who are itching to play – to stretch their words across visual art, movement, sound, and performance, discovering how other forms can energise and transform their storytelling.
Programme dates
Each session will run on a Wednesday, 6.30 – 8.30pm, at Birmingham Hippodrome on the following dates, culminating with a special sharing session:
- 8 April
- 15 April
- 22 April
- 29 April
- 6 May
- 13 May
- 20 May
- 27 May
- 3 June
- 10 June
First Steps Masterclasses
Alongside weekly workshops, the First Steps cohort will take part in five exclusive masterclasses led by trailblazing artists and organisations who began their journeys in poetry. From that foundation, their work now spans performance, screenwriting, novels, theatre, television and music – carrying their voices to audiences around the world.
These masterclasses will also be open to 16-25 year olds across the West Midlands, giving young creatives a chance to expand their practice, connect with Birmingham Hippodrome, and learn directly from world-class professionals shaping the arts today. Explore their stories and let your poetry become a launchpad for your creative career!
All Masterclasses take place at Birmingham Hippodrome from 6.30 – 8.30pm on the following dates:
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- 13 April – Cia Mangat (Poetry Society)
- 20 April – Steven Camden (Polar Bear)
- 27 April – Sophia Griffin
- 11 May – Bradley Taylor
- 18 May – Maureen Onwunali
About your Programme leaders
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Ayan Aden is Birmingham’s 24th Poet Laureate (2024–26), a performance poet, cultural strategist and founder whose work bridges heritage, community and creative infrastructure. Rooted in Somali-British identity, she merges Somali oral tradition with contemporary poetics to advance cultural equity and shape narratives of belonging. As founder of Somalinimo UK and the Birmingham Poetry Network, she creates impact through community-led programming, strategic consultancy and educational outreach. Her work spans art, policy and storytelling- building frameworks that honour the past while imagining what is yet to come. |
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Sipho Eric Ndlovu is a performance artist and writer whose approach encourages accessibility & inclusivity in the arts. He is the former Poet Laureate of The University of Sheffield Social Sciences. Sipho is inspired by community engagement and delivering quality arts programmes through the explorations of dance, acting and poetry. |
