A series of lectures exploring the rich canon of Black poets in Africa, the Caribbean, the UK and USA. After a successful pilot in 2023,
Arvon is excited to be partnering with Obsidian to co-host The Black Poetry Lectures 2026. Fortnightly in June, July, September and October 2026, four award-winning poets will explore four distinct areas of the Black poetry canon, looking at Black writers past and present from Africa, the US, the Caribbean and the UK.
Join us for a deep dive into the Black poetry canon, equipping you to explore what a decolonised poetry canon might look like and future-proofing the names of Black poets at risk of being forgotten. Each session is £10 with half-price concessions and fully funded places available. The series is not-for-profit and open to all. If you’re able, we encourage you to pay it forward by paying the full price. All proceeds will go directly towards a bursary for Black writers to attend an Arvon course in 2027, supporting the next generation of voices and ensuring this work continues beyond the lectures.
‘The Black Poetry Lectures are a series of conversations with the Black canon across four regions, delivered by contemporary Black poets. It’s about building a living poetry collection across time. This is a space for the poet, the academic, the student and for readers, listeners, elders, and young people alike, anyone drawn to the depth and possibility of Black poetry.’ Dr Nick Makoha Obsidian
The Black Poetry Lectures
• 75 mins duration
• A lecture/talk series on 2-3 Black poets from a region as an online talk, followed by a Q&A
• Each tutor will lead two lectures on a specific region (Africa, America, Caribbean and UK)
• Thursday lunchtimes 1.3.00-14.00 BST, followed by 15 min Q&A
• Recordings will be available to watch afterwards if you aren’t able to attend live
Online: £10
Concessions: £5
As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, half-price concessions are available for this course at checkout. There are a limited number of free subsidised places for those who cannot afford the concession price.
We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.
Our FAQ page may also helpful.
Across all of Arvon at Home
The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures
A note on the use of AI and recording
Subject to funding/permissions/availability (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)
If you have any access needs that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org
See here for more access information.
Residential Writing Course
Residential Retreat (Tutored)
Residential Retreat (No Tutors)
Online Writing Week
Online Writing Month
Online Writing Day
Masterclass
Residential Writing Courses take place at our houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire and span a range of genres. You'll work closely with two tutors, each week consisting of workshops, one-to-one tutorials and evening readings. You’ll have time and space to write, and plenty of support. Long after you leave, your creativity will grow.
May 18-23
Lumb Bank
Writing the Earth
May 18-23
The Hurst
Bring your audio drama to life
May 18-23
Totleigh Barton
Bring your story to life
May 25-30
The Hurst
Exploring wild language
May 25-28
Lumb Bank
Ready, steady, publish!
Jun 1-6
Totleigh Barton
Reaching the finish line
Jun 15-20
Totleigh Barton
Introductions to genre, experiments in form
Jun 15-20
Lumb Bank
Stretch your creative muscles
Jun 22-27
The Hurst
The craft of character-driven fiction
Jun 22-27
Totleigh Barton
Mining for gold
Jun 22-27
Lumb Bank
A sense of place
Jun 29-Jul 4
Totleigh Barton
Poetry and self-making
Jun 29-Jul 3
The Hurst
Developing your writing practice
Jul 6-11
The Hurst
Get unstuck with your writing and move it on
Jul 13-18
Totleigh Barton
Writing lives
Jul 13-16
The Hurst
Writing the world through a queer lens
Our residential tutored retreats are designed to allow you the time and space to focus on your writing from our houses in Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire. Tutored retreats allow you plenty of self-guided writing time without workshops. You'll benefit from one-to-one tutorials with your tutors in the afternoons and a guest on Wednesday.
Capturing the transformative power of a traditional Arvon week, you’ll experience a week of workshops, one-to-ones, social gatherings and readings delivered live by two Arvon tutors online. You’ll connect with a small group of fellow writers and unleash your imagination, all from the comfort of your own home.
Perfect if you want to commit time to your writing but can only manage a couple of hours a week. Our Online Writing Months unpacks our popular 5-day Online Writing Week over a month of evening classes. You’ll have a weekly workshop, one-to-one tutorials, socials and How I Write sessions. You will develop a network of fellow writers and give your writing a transformational boost.
Jun 1-23
Online
From raw material to crafted narrative
Jul 6-28
Online
Re-thinking the way you write for performance
Oct 1-22
Online
Shaping lived experiences into writing that connects
Oct 5-27
Online
Develop your compelling calling card script
Need a boost while you tackle your latest writing project? These one-day courses are aimed at writers who already have a work in progress, or a current working practice and would like a concentrated bolt of creative inspiration. Delivered live via Zoom and recorded for you to watch back later.
Jun 26
Online
Playing with language, playing with form
Jul 24
Online
Sorting out structure in a day
Aug 21
Online
Boost your writing for performance
Sep 11
Online
Dig deep and go forward
Sep 25
Online
Poems of rage and power
Two-hour online creative writing workshops delivered live by acclaimed writers. With a mix of reading, discussion, and writing exercises, you’ll get new words onto the page, tighten your technique, and become the writer you were meant to be. You can also access an on-demand back catalogue of past Masterclasses.
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Anthony (Vahni) Capildeo
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Abda Khan
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Michael Brooks
Online
Building Worlds
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Chrissy Williams
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Alexander Masters
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Steve Voake
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Felicity Cloake
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Niall Campbell
Online
Invent a workshop that is entirely yours
Online
Harnessing the power of 'what if?'
Online
Zoom Masterclass with Jack Wallington
Online
Finding a Path
Online
Writing relatable characters
Online
Zoom webinar with Federico Andornino
Online
You’re invited to Writing: The Party
