The Red Room Company Ltd
The Red Room Company Ltd, registered charity ABN 35103464446RR0001, is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to commissioning, publishing, and promoting contemporary poetry. Established in 2003, it focuses on fostering cultural connections and amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly First Nations communities, through creative programs, workshops, and publications[1][3][5].

Mission and Programs

The organisation collaborates with diverse communities to deliver initiatives that integrate poetry with language learning, cultural preservation, and environmental advocacy. Key programs include:

• Poetry in First Languages: Focuses on revitalising Indigenous languages and stories through poetry[5][3].
• Poem Forest: A nature-writing prize encouraging ecological awareness and reforestation efforts[5][4].
• Red Room Fellowships: Supports emerging poets in developing sustainable careers[5].
• Phone-a-Poem: A public art installation allowing users to listen to poetry via landline[4].

Impact and Recognition

Over its 20-year history, the organisation has commissioned over 1,400 poets and generated more than 43,000 poems[4][5]. In 2023, it celebrated its 20th anniversary with A Line in the Sand: 20 Years of Red Room Poetry, an anthology featuring 80 poets[5]. Annual surveys report 95% participant satisfaction, with 100% indicating intent to re-engage[5].

Governance and Funding

As a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and the Register of Cultural Organisations, it operates with a stable financial model, relying on grants, donations, and partnerships with entities like Creative Australia and Create NSW[1][5]. Governance emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and community-driven outcomes[3][5].

[1] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a285f5eb-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/profile [2] https://redroompoetry.org/donate/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a285f5eb-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/documents/12e91549-a4c4-ea11-a812-000d3ad1f29c [4] https://redroompoetry.org [5] https://redroom-wagtail-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/media/dd/documents/52e33bcb1a4c1c6ba16f7ab7b1b8a2d4.pdf