Submissions for the 2026 Poetry open-call are now closed
Selected poems curated by our local Advisory Board will be featured in a borough-wide Poetry Trail from 21st July to 9th August 2026 across the windows of Kensington and Chelsea!
We encourage applicants to record or film themselves reciting the poem on their phone and also send in, so that we can post on our socials (with the chance of have it aired on the The Outerglobe radio) to platform all voices, whether or not you get through the selection process for the poetry trail! (Optional)
Send in your recording with your name, the name of your poem and social tag to:
Ka.1@hotmail.co.uk
You can use WeTransfer, GoogleDrive or OneDrive – make sure it is an open link.
Thank you and good luck! ✨
The theme for this year is: PEACE
Kamitan Arts is proud to invite you to submit your poem for the ‘Kensington and Chelsea Poetry Fringe’ Open Call!
Returning for our second year, Kamitan Arts is continuing to reignite the spirit of grassroots expression, bringing bold, authentic, and unapologetic voices into the windows and public spaces of RBKC. Building on the legacy of the former ‘Poetry Corner’, established through our grassroots partnership with KCAW, we are proud to continue this poetic tradition independently, carrying the torch forward and creating new opportunities focused on local marginalised voices to be seen, heard, invested in and celebrated.
Kamitan Arts invites poets, writers, and community members to respond to the theme of ‘Peace’. We see peace not as silence or passive acceptance, but as a commitment to justice, understanding, dignity, and connection, belonging, and shared humanity within a diverse and evolving local context. Through poetry, we hope to create space for reflection, dialogue, and community healing.
We welcome thoughtful and courageous reflections on the issues that shape our lives, including politics, war, faith, racism, inequality, identity, migration, belonging, and social justice. Your voice matters, and we encourage honest, creative, and respectful expression that sparks conversation and inspires change.
While we champion freedom of expression, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards profanity, hate speech, discrimination, or disrespectful language. We believe powerful messages can challenge, inspire, and provoke thought while remaining respectful of others.
Let your words be seen. Let your voice be heard. Celebrating the power of local grassroots voices and creative expression in public spaces!
Please note: Priority with be given to RBKC-based poets as precedent, but those from neighbouring Boroughs are also welcomed to enter!
The Theme for our Poetry Open-call 2025 is: EQUITY
“The term “equity” refers to fairness and justice and is distinguished from equality: Whereas equality means providing the same to all, equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.”
Kamitan Arts is passionate about creating a more fair and equitable arts and culture landscape for grassroots artists and arts organisation especially from marginalised backgrounds.
Please note: Priority with be given to RBKC-based poets as precedent, but those from neighbouring Boroughs are also welcomed to enter!
*Please note your private details including disabilities, email, age (unless child) will not appear on the selected printed or on the digital trail of poems on our website. Kamitan Arts abides by GDPR and Data Privacy Policies.