£6 Young Barbican exhibition tickets
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What you need to know
What you'll gain
- Receive mentorship from world-famous poets and performers
- Develop your style and approach to the written word
- Grow your critical skills in a supportive creative space
- Connect with a community of fellow artists
What you'll do
- Produce a portfolio of work and feature in a published anthology.
- Perform at the Barbican and have a chance to develop alternative representations of your work including e.g. facilitating a session of your own devising, delivering a presentation or creating a multimedia piece.
- Access optional projects/workshops on an ad-hoc basis that connect to other Barbican artists and art forms.
Upcoming events
Upcoming events
See our Barbican Young Poets and alumni in action at these upcoming events.
Young Barbican Takeover Festival
Sun 2 Mar
The Barbican Young Poets perform readings in the conservatory from 12pm-1.10pm and 5.30pm-6pm at this vibrant day of events curated for and by London's emerging creatives, which brings together artists, musicians, writers and industry professionals for workshops, live music, screenings and more. A £10 festival pass gives you access to all events on the day.
Find out more and book.
In Response to Noah Davis
Fri 28 Mar, 7pm, Art Gallery
Join Barbican Young Poets alumni at this special performance inspired by the work of Noah Davis, in collaboration with poet Claudia Rankine.
Tickets from £10. Find out more and book.
In Response to Citra Sasmita
Wed 9 Apr, 7pm, The Curve
Join Barbican Young Poets for an evening of performances and readings inspired by Citra Sasmita's exhibition, Into Eternal Land.
Free, but ticketed. Reserve your space.
Facilitation
Jacob Sam-La Rose
Jacob Sam-La Rose is a poet, educator, and editor whose work has helped shape the landscape of contemporary poetry and spoken word in the UK. As the founder and long-standing lead facilitator of Barbican Young Poets, and through appointments including Programme Leader of the Goldsmiths-accredited Spoken Word Education Programme, Artistic Director of the national youth poetry initiative Shake the Dust, and founder of the international poetry community The Vineyard, he has supported generations of writers and performers in developing their craft, deepening their thinking, and building creative lives grounded in care, curiosity, and community.
Jacob creates spaces that invite risk and nurture resilience through his responsive, enquiry-led facilitation. He encourages writers to see poetry not just as a mode of expression, but as a way of paying attention and participating in the world.
Alongside his work as a facilitator, Jacob is a committed editor and mentor, known for championing new voices and supporting writers in honing their creative and critical practice with the same rigour and generosity that define his facilitation.
Invited Guests
During the programme, there will be sessions led by guest industry professionals in the poetry and spoken word sector, all of whom will bring different insights and specialisms to help you develop your artistic practice.
Subject to Change
Read: Subject to Change Anthology
From data breaches, US presidents and corruption to the power of language to make change, read and watch all twelve of our Young Poet's evocative and impactful poems from the Subject to Change series.
Subject to Change: 'Tender' by Annie Hayter
For July’s poem, Annie Hayter reflects on the relationship between sexual abuse and denial, in the wake of recent revelations.
Subject to Change: 'Bun Babylon!' by Anita Barton-Williams
For June’s poem, Anita Barton-Williams shares a personal reflection on her heritage in light of the Windrush scandal.
Subject to Change: 'Honey' by Katie Hale
Our January poem comes from Katie Hale, as she performs her poem, 'Honey' - because what better way to interrogate a word than with a poem? Read our interview with Katie for more about her poem and how poetry can be a powerful vehicle for change.
