Dear Friends,
The Poetry Project’s 50th anniversary season will begin on September 28, 2016 with a reading of founder Paul Blackburn’s work. On September 22, 1966, Blackburn gave the first reading at this new home for poets. In his words, “Just put me on Second Avenue: I can hang on.” I’m very proud that our organization has managed to hang on, and even to thrive, in a rapidly changing city. The Project offers writers the opportunity to perform their work for serious listening audiences in one of the most respected venues for poetry in the country. As we approach our 50th Anniversary, we are asking you to support The Poetry Project’s mission to foster the reading and writing of poetry, honor its legacy, and invest in its future potential by making a tax-deductible contribution.
Your gift will make it possible for us to fund the presentation of 65 events this season, and pay writers a higher fee. These aren’t empty promises: this fall, we were able to raise each fee by $100 — the first such increase in decades! It was long overdue, and we plan on more: a donation of $500 would cover writers’ fees for one night in the Wednesday Night Reading Series, but your support, in any amount, will directly impact the material lives of all participating artists. Your gift will also make it possible to plan key programming for the 50th season.
Donate Now
If you are unable to make a tax deductible donation at this time, another way to support the Project is through purchasing an advance ticket to the 42nd Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Benefit Reading. Presale tickets are $20 ($5 off door price) and on sale here. All money raised by the Marathon also goes toward covering writer’s fees.
We hope that you will join us as we approach a milestone year, and we wish you a happy 2016.
Warmly,
Stacy Szymaszek
Director