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Lillian Allen Prize and Lillian Allen Emerging Artist Prize
July 31, 11:59 PM EDT
In 2024 the Ontario Arts Council, in partnership with the League of Canadian Poets, created the Lillian Allen Prize and the Lillian Allen Emerging Artist Prize to recognize and celebrate spoken word poetry.
The prizes are named after Canadian poet and spoken word artist Lillian Allen. Her distinctive approach to poetry through language, music and social consciousness continues to capture attention and make change. She embodies the excellence, creativity, and professionalism that she has brought to the form, and we recognize her community building and generosity of spirit by naming this prize in her honour.
The Lillian Allen Prize supports and promotes a spoken word artist with five or more years’ experience, and the Lillian Allen Emerging Artist Prize is for a spoken word artist with less than five years’ experience.
Prize: Two prizes of $2,000
The League of Canadian Poets is dedicated to increasing the accessibility of our programs and services; if you are unable to complete your submission as outlined below, please contact admin@poets.ca.
In 2025, this prize is open to poets based anywhere in Canada.
Nominees must:
– Be individual, professional artists, 18 years of age or older
– Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, or have an application pending for permanent resident status
– Submit all documentation in English or French
Submissions will require:
– A portfolio of work up to 20 minutes in length – accepted as 1-5 video files or 1-5 video links (e.g. Youtube, Vimeo)
– An artist statement on portfolio of work (up to 750 words in length)
– An artist CV, including performance history, community engagement, and education
– Submissions should not include audio or video effects that would not be replicated in a live performance.
– Submissions may include original music if it would be included in the live performance of the poem(s).
