About us

Apples and Snakes is the leading organisation for performance poetry in England, with a national reputation for producing exciting and innovative participation and performance work in spoken word.

We work in partnership with creative individuals and organisations across the country to produce high quality artistic experiences - including work with, for and by young people - that raise the profile of spoken word and push the boundaries of the artform, artists and audiences. We offer professional development for artists including advice, training and performance opportunities at a local, national and international level, with a particular focus on nurturing emerging talent and championing marginalised and disenfranchised voices.
 
Apples and Snakes was set up in 1982 by a group of poets in order to establish more performance poetry events. Over the last three decades, Apples and Snakes has been the development ground for many high profile poets and artists, inspired countless young people and taken performance poetry to new places. Since 2002, Apples and Snakes has made the transition to a national organisation and currently has Programme Co-ordinators in London, the North East, the South East, the South West, the West Midlands, the East and partnership projects with venues, literature organisations and artists taking place across the country. 
 

Find out what is going on where you live by going to Events, or look at the other about us pages to find out more about Apples and Snakes including how you can help us to maintain and develop our activities, our partnership with Free Word and how we work with businesses and other third sector organisations to present Apples and Snakes in your school or at your workplace.