Did you know Exeter is one of the few cities with the ancient right to appoint a Bard?
The Bard represents the land & people for a year & a day with a bunch of perks plus some fancy blue robes chucked in!
Supported by Exeter Library, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Taking the Mic and Spork! Poetry. The Bardic role is a chance for you to make your mark on the city!
Previous Bards have gone on to win national slams, become the Poet Laureate for Exeter City FC, and present poetry internationally at COP26 (to name just a few achievements!)
Any poet, singer, storyteller, rapper, or wordsmith aged 16+ and from Devon can compete, with the winner chosen by public vote on Fri 29th May at a Bardic Competition, at Exeter Library.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please email current Bard Kev Payne on info@andonart.co.uk with:
Your location
Your age
A very short summary about why you’d like to be the Bard (no more than 50 words)
THE COMP
We will endeavour to put forward all applicants into the Bardic Competition which will take place at Exeter Library on Fri 29 May. However, spaces are limited to 6 Bardic Hopefuls, so in the event of more than 8 people applying, we will create a shortlist of candidates!
Apply by Fri 8th May. Those going forward into the comp will be announced on Mon 11th May.
We will let all applicants know over the weekend. You’ll present a Bardic Manifesto and combined live reading or performance that highlights your skills as a writer, orator and performer, as well as your objectives for the year. You’ll have 6 minutes total to do both.
PERKS:
The Bardic Robe & Bardic Seat
Support from current & Grand Bard, including a handover meeting
A featured Project page on the Exeter UNESCO City of Literature website, and use of
CoL branding
Free tickets to any upcoming Spork! Poetry event
10 hours of free in-kind space from Exeter Library to support things like meetings, writing space, rehearsals, or workshops
A paid feature set at an upcoming Taking the Mic event at Exeter Phoenix
