Dear patrons, 

Over the last two years, several of you have approached us, and said that our name no longer describes us. Sponsors and foundations have asked us to clarify what we do. The topic has come up with community partners, and in our board meetings.

Our vision has grown, and we have expanded as an organization. Last year we helped bring the love of poetry to over 2000 individuals. The name Kalamazoo Poetry Festival no longer adequately describes what we do, or what we strive to achieve. 

We are not just a festival, and although that special week in April will still play an important part in our programming, our name needs to match our stride.

We mulled over several options- are we a collaborative, a center, should we just drop “festival” and be Kalamazoo Poetry? The subject of our name even played a large part in the creation of our new strategic plan. We knew it was time that our name reflected the work we do, and where we are headed. 

It is important to us that you all feel welcome and invested in the way we operate as a community organization, because that is why we are here… for you. Every event, every meeting, discussion, decision, every idea stems from feedback we have received from you. We hope that you will join us as we step into our new identity, because we do all of this for YOU!

Say hello to The Kalamazoo Poetry Collective!

Keep watch on our social media and in our next newsletter as we publicly announce our new name, and tell the community why we believe it better describes our commitment to you, Kalamazoo. You will still see our previous name appear here and there as we transition, so please help us spread the word.

Thank you for all of your commitment to us, and for continuing to remind us of not only the healing and transformative power of poetry, but of the big love our city has for us!

In resilience, gratitude, and magic, 

Casey L Grooten, Executive Director, Kalamazoo Poetry Collective