Poetry Circle Nowhere
Poetry Circle Nowhere is a Dutch non-profit national platform for spoken word talent development, delivering half-year workshop trajectories across nine Dutch cities. It serves approximately 135 young artists annually through weekly workshops, coaching, and festival partnerships, financed via participant fees and cultural subsidies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Poetry Circle Nowhere does
Poetry Circle Nowhere is a Dutch non-profit cultural organization operating as the national spoken word talent development platform in the Netherlands. Founded in 2007/2008 by Babs Gons and Lies Aris as a one-time workshop series at Productiehuis Nowhere, the organization now runs spoken word talent development trajectories in nine Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Tilburg, Eindhoven, Zwolle, Arnhem/Nijmegen, Leeuwarden, and Haarlem). It serves primarily young spoken word artists and performing writers aged approximately 15 to 35, with a maximum cohort of 15 participants per Circle yielding roughly 135 participants per season. The 14-person core team is supplemented by freelance coaches and city coordinators across the network.
The product portfolio centers on three tiers: the Poetry Circle Workshopseizoen (a half-year weekly workshop trajectory with fixed coaches, guest artists, Circle Sessions inter-city performances, and a final presentation), Full Circle (an advanced three-month maker trajectory for artists with starting professional practice), and short Spoken Word Workshop series delivered with cultural partners. Supporting offerings include Circle Sessions, the annual Poetry Circle Festival, the end-of-season Manifestatie, school education programs, and stage productions co-produced with festivals. All programs are delivered in person at partner cultural venues. The technical stack is minimal: a WordPress website, a shared Nowhere CRM for registration, and active social media channels—no proprietary platforms, APIs, software products, or AI capabilities are part of the offering.
Revenue combines participant fees (€145 per season per participant, payable in installments), Dutch government and cultural-foundation subsidies (Gemeente Amsterdam, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie, Cultuurfonds, Dioraphte, VSB Fonds, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Nederlands Letterenfonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds), and partnership and co-production revenue from festivals and cultural institutions. The co-located relationship with founding host Productiehuis Nowhere (shared premises at Madurastraat 90, Amsterdam) provides physical infrastructure, while literary partner Wintertuin operates as co-producer on multiple programs. In July 2024, the organization lost a core operating subsidy from Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie despite a positive recommendation, prompting a public #redpoetrycirclenowhere campaign to secure continued funding.
Poetry Circle Nowhere firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Poetry Circle Nowhere
- Legal name
- Poetry Circle Nowhere
- Website
- https://poetrycircle.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Poetry Circle Nowhere is a Dutch non-profit national platform for spoken word talent development, delivering half-year workshop trajectories across nine Dutch cities. It serves approximately 135 young artists annually through weekly workshops, coaching, and festival partnerships, financed via participant fees and cultural subsidies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Poetry Circle Nowhere industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Education and Spoken Word Talent Development
- NAICS
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spoken Word & Performance Poetry Workshops (EDAMAMAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Poetry Workshops (EDAMAMAB), Spoken-Word Poetry Slams (MPAGACAF), Writing Retreats & Intensive Bootcamps (EDAMAMAK), Writing Critique Groups & Peer Workshops (EDAMAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Poetry Circle Nowhere is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
Poetry Circle Nowhere business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Workshop participation fees: Participants pay a fee to join the Poetry Circle talent development trajectory (€145 per season), short workshop series (€25–€35 per series), and Full Circle maaktraject (€100–€150). These are the primary direct revenue streams from participants.
- Public subsidies and cultural grants: Poetry Circle is financially supported by government subsidies (Gemeente Amsterdam, fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie) and cultural foundations (Cultuurfonds, Dioraphte, VSB Fonds, De Versterking, Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst, Nederlands Letterenfonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds). These grants fund operations, talent programs, and productions.
- Partnership and co-production revenue: Revenue is generated through co-productions, custom programs for partners (corporate events, school workshops, festival contributions), and commissioned spoken word performances. Partners include Brainwash Festival, Poetry International, Over het IJ Festival, Amsterdam Fringe Festival, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Poetry Circle season (9 cities, Jan–Jun) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Nowhere x Poetry Circle spoken word workshops (8 sessions) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Spoken Word workshops Amsterdam (7 sessions) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Spoken Word workshops Amsterdam & Den Haag autumn 2025 (6 sessions) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Full Circle maaktraject |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Poetry Circle Nowhere product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Poetry Circle Nowhere is a national spoken word talent development organization that runs seasonal workshops, advanced maker trajectories, and performance programs for young spoken word artists and performing writers in nine Dutch cities. Its core deliverable is the half-year Poetry Circle Workshopseizoen (€145 per season), supplemented by the advanced Full Circle maaktraject, short workshop series, Circle Sessions, stage productions, and an annual festival. The organization primarily serves individual participants aged 15–35, with secondary institutional clients including festivals, schools, and cultural partners.
Product overview
Poetry Circle Nowhere is hét landelijk platform voor spoken word—a cultural arts organization rather than a technology product. Its portfolio consists of live talent development programs: the Poetry Circle Workshopseizoen (a half-year spoken word trajectory across 9 Dutch cities), Full Circle (an advanced 3-month maker trajectory), and Spoken Word Workshops (short series and one-time sessions). These core programs are complemented by supportive offerings: Circle Sessions (low-threshold performance evenings), Podium Producties (stage productions), Poetry Circle Festival (annual festival with workshops and performances), Poetry Circle Manifestatie (end-of-season celebration), and Educatie Programma's (school projects). The organization also participates in partner talent programs including WOLK, Slow Writing Lab, and #NieuweStukken. Poetry Circle Festival features Fundamentals sub-workshops (Performance, Reading Poetry, Business, Imagining Resistance, Musicality). All offerings are artistic/cultural in nature—no software products, APIs, or technology platforms are offered.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Poetry Circle Workshopseizoen A half-year spoken word talent development trajectory offered in 9 Dutch cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Tilburg, Eindhoven, Zwolle, Arnhem/Nijmegen, Leeuwarden, Haarlem). Includes weekly workshops with fixed coaches and guest artists, Circle Sessions, kick-off, and end presentation, culminating in a public showcase. Participants pay €145 per season (payable in one sum or four installments); auditions cap intake at 15 participants per Circle.
- Full Circle An advanced three-month maker trajectory for spoken word artists and performing writers with a starting professional practice. Includes 7 physical workshops, 3 online sessions, masterclasses, and end presentations; intensive coaching, peer learning, and career advancement support. Costs €100–€150 with financial assistance available.
- Spoken Word Workshops Short workshop series and one-time workshops delivered in collaboration with cultural partners across multiple cities, introducing participants to spoken word writing and performance skills. Includes Nowhere x Poetry Circle workshops (8 sessions, €25), Amsterdam spoken word workshops (7 sessions, €35), and Den Haag workshops (6 sessions, €25–€30).
- Circle Sessions Low-threshold inter-city stage evenings where Circles from different Dutch cities meet and perform together, providing ongoing podium experience during the workshop season. Open to audience members and prospective participants.
- Poetry Circle Festival Annual public festival featuring workshops, talkshows, live music, open mic performances, and spoken word liveshows themed around poetry and performance. Includes Fundamentals sub-workshops (Performance, Reading Poetry, Business, Imagining Resistance, Musicality).
- Poetry Circle Manifestatie Annual end-of-season celebration event where all Circles from the nine cities present their final work, marking the culmination of the workshop season.
- Podium Producties Stage productions created independently, in collaboration with other makers, or in cooperation with other organizations. Range from open mics to spoken word city walks, group performances, and intimate solo shows; co-produced with festivals such as Brainwash, Poetry International, Over het IJ, and Amsterdam Fringe Festival.
- Educatie Programma's School projects and workshop trajectories produced in collaboration with Productiehuis Nowhere, introducing students to poetry and spoken word in interactive and motivating ways. Available to schools, museums, and festivals as commissioned programs.
- WOLK Talenthub Letteren van Noord-Brabant — a 1.5-year intensive talent development program for writers with a connection to North Brabant, co-developed with Tilt, Watershed, and Papieren Helden. Pools the expertise and networks of all partner organizations.
- Slow Writing Lab Year-long creative research program for twelve writing talents from the Netherlands and Flanders, offering personal coaching, workshops, and a grant for professional development. Organized by Nederlands Letterenfonds with ArtEZ, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, and Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht; Poetry Circle nominates talent annually.
- #NieuweStukken Subsidy scheme by Fonds Podiumkunsten and Nederlands Letterenfonds enabling talented writers to develop new theater texts over eight months, receiving a grant, coaching, and workshops. Poetry Circle nominates talented makers annually.
- Literatuurnest Monthly writing workshop where writers, poets, storytellers, and readers gather to spar and receive feedback on their work, organized in collaboration with Wintertuin.
Quantifiable outcome
- Hundreds of young spoken word artists develop their craft annually through Poetry Circle's programs.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Poetry Circle Nowhere
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Poetry Circle Nowhere technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Poetry Circle Nowhere partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.
- Productiehuis NowherecoreNowhere is the founding host and operational home of Poetry Circle. Founded in 2008 as a one-time workshop series under the leadership of Babs Gons and Lies Aris, Nowhere has provided the physical space, administrative infrastructure, CRM system, and organizational support that enabled Poetry Circle to grow into a national platform operating in 9 cities. Nowhere continues to co-host workshops, the Full Circle maaktraject, and other programs.
- WintertuincoreWintertuin is a literary production house and key partner of Poetry Circle. Together they run Poetry Circle 025 (Arnhem/Nijmegen) and Literatuurnest Amsterdam. Wintertuin also provides talent development support and publishes Poetry Circle alumni through its publishing arm. Wintertuin is also a partner in the WOLK talent hub program.
- Huis van GedichtencoreHuis van Gedichten is a literary institution in The Hague that partners with Poetry Circle to run Poetry Circle 070 (Den Haag) and co-organizes spoken word workshop series. It provides venue access, local audience networks, and promotional channels.
- Explore the NorthcoreExplore the North is a cultural organization in Leeuwarden that partners with Poetry Circle to run Poetry Circle 058. It is a key regional partner providing venue, production support, and programming infrastructure in the north of the Netherlands.
- Het VeerhuiscoreHet Veerhuis is a cultural venue in Rotterdam that partners with Poetry Circle to host Poetry Circle 010 and the annual Poetry Circle Festival. It provides the primary performance and workshop space for the Rotterdam circle.
- SchuurcoreSchuur is a cultural venue in Haarlem that partners with Poetry Circle to host Poetry Circle 023. It serves as the local venue and community hub for the Haarlem circle.
- DynamocoreDynamo is a cultural venue in Eindhoven that partners with Poetry Circle to host Poetry Circle 040. It provides the workshop and event space for the Eindhoven circle.
- TiltcoreTilt is a literary organization in North Brabant and co-founder of the WOLK talent development program together with Poetry Circle and Watershed. WOLK is a 1.5-year intensive talent program for writers in North Brabant, pooling the expertise and networks of all three organizations.
- WatershedcoreWatershed is a literary organization and co-founder of the WOLK talent development program together with Poetry Circle and Tilt. WOLK offers intensive mentorship and development for writers with a link to North Brabant.
- Brainwash FestivalnotableBrainwash Festival is the largest thinking festival in the Netherlands and Belgium. Each year, two Poetry Circle makers collaborate with a scientist, philosopher, or writer to create a performance. Past collaborations have included Sinan Çankaya with Zeinab El Bouni and Tessa Gabriëls, and writer Eva Rovers with Hasan Gök and Benzokarim.
- Poetry InternationalnotablePoetry International is the renowned Rotterdam-based international poetry organization hosting an annual festival since 1970. Poetry Circle collaborates with Poetry International on workshops, the Poet in Residence program, and international exchange projects such as the Two Cities Exchange Project with Get Lit Los Angeles.
- Over het IJ FestivalnotableOver het IJ is a location theater festival in Amsterdam Noord. Poetry Circle participates in the Unboxed program, where Poetry Circle makers develop and premiere their first location theater performances. The partnership has produced works such as Nour Jordan's 'Ghriba' and Linde van Wingerden's 'Gevonden voorwerp.'
- Amsterdam Fringe FestivalnotableAmsterdam Fringe Festival is a multidisciplinary theater and performance festival showcasing new and emerging talent. Poetry Circle encourages and supports its members to apply and premiere their first productions at the festival.
- Slow Writing LabnotableSlow Writing Lab is a talent development program for writers in the Netherlands and Flanders, organized by the Nederlands Letterenfonds in partnership with ArtEZ, Gerrit Rietveld Academie, and Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht. Poetry Circle nominates talent annually for this prestigious program.
- #NieuweStukken (Fonds Podiumkunsten & Nederlands Letterenfonds)notable#NieuweStukken is a subsidy scheme enabling talented writers to develop new theater texts over eight months, receiving a grant, coaching, and workshops. Poetry Circle is a proud partner that nominates talented makers annually. Alumni include Steff Geelen, Daniëlle Zawadi, Jasper Albinus, Sandy Bosmans, and others.
- Stedelijk MuseumminorPoetry Circle artists have collaborated with the Stedelijk Museum on programs and performances, contributing spoken word to the museum's cultural programming.
- Holland FestivalminorPoetry Circle has produced programs and performances in collaboration with the Holland Festival, one of the Netherlands' most prominent international arts festivals.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Poetry Circle Nowhere competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Poetry Foundation: Chicago-based major poetry institution running talent programs, festivals (including Poetry Out Loud), and educational initiatives. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the spoken word / poetry talent space.
- Brainwash Festival: Largest thinking festival in the Netherlands and Belgium and a strategic partner running annual spoken word collaborations. Comparable as a major Dutch cultural platform with embedded spoken word programming.
Regional players
- Watershed: Dutch literary organization and co-founder of the WOLK talent hub with Poetry Circle and Tilt. Comparable as a Dutch literary talent pipeline organization in a specific regional footprint.
- Tilt: North Brabant-based literary organization and co-founder of the WOLK talent development program with Poetry Circle. Comparable regional Dutch literary talent development peer.
Others
- Splendor: Amsterdam-based collective and venue for professional musicians. Comparable as a small Dutch performance talent development platform with similar non-profit/cooperative structure and subsidized-plus-earned revenue model, though in a different art form.
Direct peers
- Get Lit - Words Ignite: Los Angeles-based youth spoken word talent development organization running year-round literacy and performance programs. Explicitly cited as a partner in Poetry Circle's Two Cities Exchange Project via Poetry International, making it the closest international spoken word talent development peer.
- Louder Than A Bomb: Chicago-based youth spoken word/slam poetry talent platform and the largest teen poetry festival in the world. Directly comparable as a multi-city talent development trajectory culminating in public performance and festival exposure.
- Stichting Poetry International: Rotterdam-based international poetry organization and festival (since 1970) and a direct partner of Poetry Circle. Comparable as a Dutch poetry institution with overlapping audience, mission, and talent development role.
- Wintertuin: Arnhem-based literary production house co-running Poetry Circle 025 and the Literatuurnest program. Comparable as a Dutch literary talent development organization with publishing arm and overlapping cohort-based model.
- Productiehuis Nowhere: Amsterdam production house and the founding host and operational infrastructure of Poetry Circle. Comparable as the organizational backbone enabling the platform and as a sister cultural producer with adjacent spoken word programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Poetry Circle Nowhere social profiles
Digital presencePoetry Circle Nowhere financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Poetry Circle Nowhere leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Poetry Circle Nowhere funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Poetry Circle Nowhere M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Poetry Circle Nowhere
What does Poetry Circle Nowhere do?
Poetry Circle Nowhere is a national spoken word talent development organization that runs seasonal workshops, advanced maker trajectories, and performance programs for young spoken word artists and performing writers in nine Dutch cities. Its core deliverable is the half-year Poetry Circle Workshopseizoen (€145 per season), supplemented by the advanced Full Circle maaktraject, short workshop series, Circle Sessions, stage productions, and an annual festival. The organization primarily serves individual participants aged 15–35, with secondary institutional clients including festivals, schools, and cultural partners.
Is Poetry Circle Nowhere a public or private company?
Poetry Circle Nowhere is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Poetry Circle Nowhere founded?
Poetry Circle Nowhere was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Poetry Circle Nowhere based?
Poetry Circle Nowhere is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Poetry Circle Nowhere make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Workshop participation fees are the primary driver. The others are public subsidies and cultural grants and partnership and co-production revenue.
Who are Poetry Circle Nowhere's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Poetry Foundation and Brainwash Festival. Regional players are Watershed and Tilt. Splendor is listed as an others. Direct peers are Get Lit - Words Ignite, Louder Than A Bomb, Stichting Poetry International, Wintertuin and Productiehuis Nowhere.
Does Poetry Circle Nowhere have an API?
No public API is recorded for Poetry Circle Nowhere.
What industry is Poetry Circle Nowhere in?
Poetry Circle Nowhere's product category is Performing Arts Education and Spoken Word Talent Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAMAM, Spoken Word & Performance Poetry Workshops, with a secondary code of EDAMAMAB, Poetry Workshops. Its NAICS code is 71151.