Oxford University Poetry Society
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
The Oxford University Poetry Society (OUPS), founded in 1936 by Martin Starkie, is the centre of poetic life within the University of Oxford.
The society is the only regular provider of poetry readings in Oxford: its weekly events are open to the public, in addition to the members of the university, and frequently feature high-profile members of the British poetic community. In the academic year 2006-2007, visiting readers included the Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, and other renowned poets such as Paul Muldoon, Anne Stevenson, Craig Raine, Bernard O'Donoghue and Alice Oswald.
OUPS holds writing workshops on Wednesdays at The Mitre - during which members read and critique one another's work - and administrates numerous other events, including open mic readings and collaboration with various college arts festivals. The society also disseminates information about university poetry competitions, including the Newdigate Prize, the Lord Alfred Douglas Memorial Prize and the Eugene Lee-Hamilton Prize, events such as the termly readings at Balliol College under the auspices of the current Oxford Professor of Poetry, Christopher Ricks, and external resources which may be of interest to members, such as the Poetry Library.
The society administers the annual Martin Starkie Prize, named after OUPS's founder, and its own Declamation Competition. It has a bitermly magazine, Ash, which began in Michaelmas term '07, showcasing the writing of its members.
The current committee is composed of Chloe Stopa-Hunt, Alex Christofi, Edwin Gaarder, Sophie McGrath, Helen Taylor and Josh Twivy.
