Where Would You Like To See/Hear Poetry? Some Ideas (Updated)

Want to see more poetry in Gaithersburg?  Here are some of the terrific ideas that we came up with at our April reading for how to make that happen.  I’ll also post this list on our Facebook page where we can discuss it and you can add more ideas in the comments.

1. Have a poetry contest.
2. Have a poetry contest for kids.
3. Display poetry in art galleries.
4. Have readings at charity events.
5. Televise poetry readings on local access stations and/or broadcast on local radio stations.
6. Put featured poems/poets on flyers advertising the DiVerse Gaithersburg Poetry Reading and put them on community bulletin boards (Starbucks, grocery stores, etc.).
7. Write poems on sidewalks.
8. Put poetry on bus stops, benches, and the sides of buses.
9. Hold poetry slams.
10. Have cooperative writing events where poets get together and write.
11. Have a poetry bulletin board at the Gaithersburg Book Festival (GBF) where people can post poems.
12. Connect with the English department at Montgomery County Community College.
13. Hold a kids-oriented poetry event/reading.
14. Hang poems/quotes from poets from lampposts.
15. Haiku signs in flower beds (an idea that has been done in DC).
16. A zine.
17. Put poems on the sides of buildings.
18. Poetry workshops at assisted living/senior centers.
19. Have poets visit schools.
20. Poetry walks.
21. Have a poetry podcast.
22. Put poems at/have poetry events at the train station and/or Lake Forest Mall.
23. Appoint a city and/or GBF Poet Laureate.
24. Ask the city to issue a National Poetry Month proclamation.
25. Look for tie-ins with GBF.