Prototype 237 is honored to partner with Word Seed Inc., a Paterson-based, poetry and literary arts nonprofit that has received a significant grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The Poetic License Project is a series of four intensive poetry residency weekends, hosted at Prototype 237, that feature some of the best national and local poets to date. The fourth session will also feature an additional Writer’s Incubator, presented by CavanKerry Press. Each residency recipient receives room and board at Prototype 237, dedicated writing time to hone their craft, a Saturday night performance on the Prototype stage, and a chance to teach and attend Sunday workshops that will be hosted at Prototype 237, The Paterson Museum, and the Great Falls Youth Center. Their work will be included in two Poetic License Anthologies: one written collection and one video collection of the performances.

Bookending the residency sessions are two large-scale community events: a welcome party on March 21st and the Poetry Prom, a closing celebration on
October 31st. Both are open to the public as well as all participating Poetic License Poets. These events will feature multiple performances, bands, and DJs.

With the support from the NJEDA Art Phase II grant and all of our project partners, we are excited to provide direct and meaningful access to poetry and firmly reposition Paterson within New Jersey’s contemporary poetry landscape.

Word Seed Inc. is a Paterson-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing poetry through performance, education, publication, and advocacy. Since 2018, Word Seed has created inclusive platforms for poets and audiences to engage with literature as a living, community-centered art form. 

CavanKerry Press is an independent literary publisher based in Fort Lee, New Jersey, celebrating 26 years of publishing poetry and literary nonfiction, with more than 125 titles in print. 

The Paterson Museum preserves and interprets the history, culture, and innovation of Paterson, New Jersey. Located in the historic Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works complex, the museum celebrates the city’s industrial, artistic, and literary legacy. 

The New Jersey Community Development Corporation, founded in 1994, is a Paterson-based nonprofit providing comprehensive programs in youth development, education, workforce training, housing, mental health, and community revitalization. 

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority A.R.T. – Phase II Grant is a competitive program that will disburse $15,000,000 in funding to address the impact of COVID-19 in 31 selected municipalities throughout the state. It is aimed at supporting the development and recovery of New Jersey’s commercial corridors and invigorating community focused arts and cultural organizations. The program supports the creation of public space activation initiatives, such as place making projects, public art installations, and arts-based projects. The Poetic License Project is supported by funding through the NJEDA’s A.R.T. – Phase II Grant Program. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST: WELCOME PARTY
THE PATERSON MUSEUM & PROTOTYPE 237

SUMMER SERIES POETIC LICENSE SESSIONS

MAY 1ST - 3RD: FIRST POETIC LICENSE SESSION
SATURDAY NIGHT: PERFORMANCE AT PROTOTYPE | SUNDAY: WORKSHOPS, LOCATIONS TBA

JUNE 12TH - 14TH: SECOND POETIC LICENSE SESSION
SATURDAY NIGHT: PERFORMANCE AT PROTOTYPE | SUNDAY: WORKSHOPS, LOCATIONS TBA

JULY 10TH - 12TH: THIRD POETIC LICENSE SESSION
SATURDAY NIGHT: PERFORMANCE AT PROTOTYPE | SUNDAY: WORKSHOPS, LOCATIONS TBA

FALL POETIC LICENSE SESSION + CAVANKERRY PRESS WRITER’S INCUBATOR

OCTOBER 14TH - 18TH, IN CELEBRATION OF PATERSON POETRY MONTH
SATURDAY, OCT. 17TH: PERFORMANCE AT PROTOTYPE | SUNDAY, OCT. 18TH: WORKSHOPS, LOCATIONS TBA

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST: POETRY PROM
PROTOTYPE 237

We are currently in our nominee review process. We are excited to announce the Poetic License Poets in mid February. Stay tuned!