About

What becomes audible when we slow down, pay attention and place an ear to the ground?

The Perth Poetry Festival Microresidencies offer three poets a full day of focused creative time at one of three partner venues. Each place offers a different environment in which to listen, observe, reflect and develop new poetry in response to the 2026 festival theme, Ear to the Ground.

The residency day is largely self-directed. It includes a welcome and introduction to the venue, dedicated writing time, and brief check-ins with a festival or venue coordinator.

You don’t need to arrive with a finished plan. A clear, engaging idea that can grow through a day of attentive writing is enough.

What the residency includes

Each selected poet will receive:

• a dedicated writing day from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
• a workspace at their allocated partner venue
• a welcome and introduction to the venue
• time for largely self-directed writing and creative development
• basic venue amenities
• access to some books or reference materials where available
• an opportunity to present their work at the festival showcase
• a $150 honorarium

The honorarium recognises the poet’s participation in both the residency and the festival showcase.

Key dates

Because the residencies begin the following week, applications cannot be accepted after the closing time.

How applications will be selected

Applications will be considered by designated WA Poets Inc. committee members, who will look at:

• the clarity and artistic promise of the idea
• how the proposal responds to Ear to the Ground
• how place or the residency environment may inform the work
• whether the project can make meaningful progress in one day
• how the work might be shared at the festival showcase

Final selections will also weigh the suitability of each proposal for the available venues and the overall balance of the three selected projects.

We welcome poets from all backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, disabled and LGBTIQA+ poets, and from voices underrepresented in poetry programs.

Who can apply

The Microresidencies are open to individual poets who:

• are 18 years or older
• currently live in Western Australia
• are available for the full 10.00 am to 4.00 pm residency period on at least one of the three dates
• can arrange their own transport to the residency
• are available to present at the festival showcase on Sunday 30 August
• want to develop new, unpublished poetry through the opportunity

The residency is for individual poets, so collaborative or group proposals can’t be accommodated. Previous Microresidency recipients are welcome to apply. Where applications are closely matched, the committee may give more weight to poets who haven’t previously received a Microresidency.

WA Poets membership

WA Poets membership is not required to apply and will not influence the selection process. WA Poets Inc. is a member-supported organisation, and membership is one of the main ways our community helps us keep presenting poetry programs, competitions and opportunities. Members also stay connected with upcoming events and festival news. You’re warmly invited to join, but everyone who meets the eligibility requirements is welcome to apply.

Planning your residency day

Selected poets will need to arrange their own transport and bring:

• lunch, snacks, water and any other refreshments
• writing materials, notebooks or reference material
• a laptop or other device and charger, if required
• anything else needed to work comfortably during the day

A microwave or other food-heating facility will be available, and tea and coffee may be on hand, but poets should bring anything they particularly need.

Travel, meals, materials, printing, equipment and other expenses cannot be reimbursed. The venues are not equally served by public transport, and nearby food or retail options may be limited, so it’s worth thinking through your travel and food arrangements before selecting which dates you can attend.

Access

Each venue has basic amenities and accessible facilities. As the buildings, paths and outdoor areas differ, the application form includes space to tell us about anything that would help you participate safely and fully. Access requirements will not disadvantage your application.