The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation (Dodge Foundation) and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) launched Dodge Poetry – a new collaboration that celebrates poetry as a catalyst for communities to advance social change. Read the full announcement.

Through this initiative, Dodge Poetry will expand beyond the biennial festival to include year-long programming in Newark. Dodge Poetry events will have three goals to:
1) mobilize communities and fuel movements for social change;
2) amplify poet activists who challenge and reframe existing narratives and norms; and
3) create spaces for empathy, healing, and repair for individuals who have experienced systemic racism.

the festival is back!

Spoken word in every form is celebrated at the Dodge Poetry Festival on October 15-17, 2026 in Downtown Newark.

Meet your favorite poets including Elizabeth Acevedo, Tyehimba Jess, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Aja Monet, Danez Smith, Jive Poetic, Mayde del Valle, José Olivarez and more. Discover new voices, speak your mind, call for change and mix rhyme with rhythm.

upcoming Events

Poetry

Spoken Word Salsa

Jul 10Cultural connectionsSpoken word poetrySalsa
Info

Rock & Pop

Patti Smith

Oct 16Punk rockIconicDodge Poetry Festival
Info

Poetry

Def Poetry Reunion

Oct 17Exhilaratingspoken wordHip hop
Info

Conversations

Is Brooklyn in the House?

Oct 17panelbook talkDodge Poetry Festival
Info

virtual programs

past events