Mark your calendar! The 2026 Plunkett Poetry Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at the UMA Augusta campus. This year’s festival includes a lineup of engaging workshops, inspiring speakers, and vibrant programming designed to celebrate the art of poetry.
We are honored to welcome Claudia Rankine as our keynote speaker. Rankine is a New York Times bestseller, a MacArthur “Genius” Award Recipient, and an NBCCA winner for criticism. Her work is known for its innovation and candor, pushing the boundaries of form and exploring critical social themes of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Festival Highlights
Poetry Workshops: Participate in interactive sessions led by distinguished poets, Joseph Jackson, Samaa Abdurraqib, and Jeffrey Thomson. These workshops offer a unique opportunity to refine your craft and engage with fellow poetry enthusiasts.
Two Poets, One Poem: Listen to poets Danez Smith and Ian-Khara Ellasante in dialogue on poetry and craft, and join the conversation during the Q and A. Danez Smith has authored four poetry collections and is a recipient of the Lambda Literary Award and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award, as well as a finalist for the National Book Award. Ian-Khara Ellasante is a cultural studies theorist, author of the poetry series Diana, and a faculty member at Bates College.
Open Mic: Enjoy readings from both emerging and established poets, share your own poems, and foster a deeper appreciation for the diverse voices in our poetry community.
Student Poetry Contest: Hear Maine high school and undergraduate contest winners read their work ahead of the keynote address.
For detailed information on the festival schedule, workshop registration, and open-mic sign up, please visit our official festival page:
We hope you’ll join us for this community gathering as we celebrate poetic expression, the power of words, and the voices that bring them to life!