About this project

The Poetry Brothel is a project, sponsored by Fractured Atlas and produced by The Poetry Society of New York, LLC, whose mission is to expand both poets’ and non-poets’ personal, intellectual and fiscal interest in poetry through performances, workshops, publications, and other projects. The Poetry Brothel developed in early 2007 as a performance art event aimed at fostering intimacy, urgency and exaltation within the New York poetry community, and at expanding that community to include a more diverse population. Today it provides a structure and set of values that unite communities of poets all over the world, poets who are committed to experiencing and expressing poetry in an personal way—a way that is more true to the nature of poetry itself.

The Poetry Brothel is best known for its New York event series. These readings attract poets and non-poets alike by taking poetry out of classrooms and lecture halls and placing it inside the lush interior of a bordello. Based on the concept of the prewar brothels in the United States and Europe, many of which functioned as safe havens for the fledgling, avant-garde artists of the times, The Poetry Brothel events present both male and female, emerging and established poets. The creation of character, as both disguise and freeing device, enables The Poetry Brothel to be a place of uninhibited creative expression, for poets and audience alike. Each poet, under an alias, offers the intimacy of his or her original poetry in one-on-one readings for a fee. Recognizing that poets undervalue themselves in the creative marketplace, The Poetry Brothel hopes to confirm both for writers and the public the literal monetary value of such vital work. Since its inception The Poetry Brothel has thrown off three major branches—Barcelona, Los Angeles, and Chicago—and inspired several satellite poetry brothel events in Belfast, Ireland; Leister, England; London, England; Oaxaca, Mexico; Auckland, New Zealand; Seattle, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Akron, Ohio. Given the high level of interest in the project, The Poetry Brothel is taking steps to expand its reach by establishing bases of operation throughout the world. Our next stop, New Orleans, Louisiana, has proved an incontestable and timely choice. We hope to tap into and celebrate New Orleans’ rich history of art and music in brothels and breathe some poetry into this dynamic city that has been led into such hard times.

Presently, we are only $2900 away from meeting our New Orleans start-up budget, and every dollar helps. To donate even as little as $5 would be to support an innumerable number of poets and artists in this area.

Many employers also sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made. Please ask your employer if they have organized such a program, or search for them online at matchinggift.com. The Poetry Brothel thanks you from the bottom of its collective heart for your generous support. We cannot grow without your contributions and genuinely hope to meet you at an upcoming event.