Open to high school students in the Greater New Orleans area or young people who are out of school but fall within this age group, #NOYOM provides a stage and space for young people to explore themselves, to share their writing and experiences with their peers, and to support one another in their artistic endeavors. NOYOM currently takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of every month in the Ashe Cultural Arts Center.
NOYOM is a collective of Greater New Orleans-area youth, poets, educators, and activists whose mission is to provide enriching youth literary experience, create safe spaces for youth expression, elevate youth voices, and cultivate a sustainable literary culture for the next generation.
NOYOM began in April of 2014 when a New Orleans based poets, teaching artists, activists and educators came together in hopes of bringing back the city's vibrant youth poetry scene. NOYOM currently partners with the Ashe Cultural Arts Center who generously provide us with free space to host our monthly shows and the New Orleans Public Library who set up tables with free books and reading materials for all students in attendance at the open mics.