In this second day of the Poetry Is Not a Luxury program, entitled Poetic License, poets and artists will share new work, work in-progress, and artistic reflections that express Lorde’s conviction that “poetry is not a luxury.” Featuring panel discussions, poetry readings, and performances, the day will be interspersed with moments of grounding and personal reflection alongside pauses for inter-audience dialogue and connection.

Grounded in the sentiment of Audre Lorde’s 1977 essay “Poetry Is Not a Luxury,” this two-day gathering brings contemporary artists and poets together with museum audiences to explore poetry’s ability to invoke sensuality, caesura, and care. Designed by 2023 Poet-in-Residence Ama Codjoe, this convening of discussion and exchange will illuminate poetry’s role in enabling humans to imagine, dream, and craft the kind of language that precipitates political action, communal nurturing, and social change.

Participants include Alexandra Bell, Gabrielle Civil, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Daria Simone Harper, francine j. harris, Omotara James, Charleen McClure, Ladan Osman, Nicole Sealey, Evie Shockley, Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon, and Robyne Walker Murphy. A schedule will be posted in the fall.

Free with RSVP. Registration is required. Please note that seating is limited and admittance is first-come, first served. Registration does not guarantee entry once capacity is reached.

This program will be interpreted in ASL.