1990 - 2000

The 1990s is an incredible time for performance poetry as more venues and events showcase poets to a live audience. The George Padmore Institute, an archive and research centre, is founded in 1991 by John La Rose. Derek Walcott wins the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992. In 1995, writer development agency Spread the Word is co-founded by literary activist and author Bernardine Evaristo. Arundhati Roy wins the Booker Prize in 1997 with God of the Small Things. In 1999, Renaissance One is formed by Melanie Abrahams - it will represent writers of colour, showcase their work to international audiences, and train producers of colour.