“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” This was how Robert Frost described poetry – a beautiful artform designed to interpret the human experience on topics that unify us all and can be used to convey something inside that needs to be shared. For many, it can provide connection, a glimpse into humanity, and healing. “To touch and at once be touched, that’s what the poem does.” This line from Julian Talamantez Brolaski’s poetry is a temporal art that perfectly encapsulates what poetry sets out to accomplish.
From Shakespeare, Robert Frost, and Edgar Allen Poe to Maya Angelou, Rupi Kaur, and Amanda Gorman – the power of poetry and spoken word has transcended generations. Gorman’s poem – The Hill We Climb as heard on election day – is proof that poetry can even heal + unite a wounded nation, and pave the way for a new beginning. “The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
We have gathered poetry resources in North Jersey + the surrounding area for poets all year round.
Resources in NJ + Beyond
Academy of American Poets
Academy of American Poets’ job listings for poets + poetry events near you. Academy of American Poets was founded in 1934 to support American poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry — the producer of Poets.org, Poem-a-Day, National Poetry Month, and more.
Art House Productions’ Jersey City Community Poem
Art House Productions’ Jersey City Community Poem was created in April 2020 through a collaboration between the JC Community Poem Project + Art House Productions. The project received submissions from 42 poets with the theme – “Life in the Pandemic and Beyond: Quarantine, Devastation, and Hope for the Future.”
Arts on the Hudson
Arts on the Hudson is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 devoted to promoting arts and culture in Jersey City and the greater Hudson County. The organization provides platforms for a range of voices and perspectives to reflect Jersey City’s diverse and culturally rich community.
Read More: Art Supply Shops + Experiences in Essex County
ArtPride New Jersey Foundation
ArtPride NJ Foundation advances, promotes, and advocates for the arts as essential to the quality of life of every citizen and to the economic vitality of the state. The organization serves 200 art institutions making them the largest arts service organization in the state.
Creative Collaborators Position with Rupi Kaur
Well-known poet + author Rupi Kaur is always searching for creative collaborators to work with her + her brand.
CryOut Cave
CryOut Cave is Newark’s very own poetry lab. The performance art theatre hosts poetry shows, open mics, art exhibitions + more.
In Full Color
In Full Color is an award-winning, Jersey City-based organization that empowers women of color through education and the arts. IFC offers woman-identified creators a unique platform to tell their stories and perform work written for them, by women like them, or even themselves.
Hudson County Community College’s National Poetry Month Committee
HCCC’s National Poetry Month Committee is dedicated to engaging the HCCC community through written poetry and spoken word. The committee aims to bring poetry events to the school and the community through various and diverse voices that uplift the community and showcase poetic talent.
Jersey City Writers
Jersey City Writers is a nonprofit organization in Hudson County dedicated to building a community for writers to develop + explore their craft by interacting with other writers. Meetings cater to writers of novels, plays, poems, memoirs, short stories, and more.
JCW‘s mission is to create a nurturing and inclusive creative environment.
Leading By Mission LLC
Leading By Mission LLC strives to educate on health and wellness + give artists and local business owners outlets to showcase their products/talent, network, advertise, and promote their business.
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts’ accessibility resources for those with disabilities provides ways to create an inclusive experience for virtual + digital events.
OpenRoad Poetry
OpenRoad is an artistic partnership between Jersey City-based women-owned businesses that celebrates the arts and the creation of art. OpenRoad believes in giving artists a platform to network + share their work. A poetic road of limitless possibilities. They are known for hosting live and virtual poetry + open mic events benefiting local venues + non-profit organizations and providing nonprofits and for-profits with artistic and technical/educational services.
Poets.org
Poets.org helps you find poetry readings, workshops, festivals, conferences, literary organizations, and poetry-friendly bookstores and helps you learn more about poets laureate, in your area. Edward Hirsch’s A Poet’s Glossary is also a helpful start for beginners.
See More: Creative Classes for Adults Offered Online + In-Person
The Poetry Coalition
The Poetry Coalition is a national alliance of more than 25 organizations dedicated to working together to promote the value and contributions of poets.
The Poetry Foundation
While The Poetry Foundation is based out of Chicago but offers online learning resources that are excellent for writers of all kinds.
WriteByNight
WriteByNight is the perfect place to find a collection of resources for writers in New Jersey. Find conferences, local critique groups + literary magazines, writing groups + workshops near you, or simply a place to hang out with writers or submit your work.
