The John Hewitt Society offers opportunities for people from Northern Ireland and beyond to experience literature, art and political debate and to explore issues of difference and identity. It is a core principle of the Society that where possible it works in partnership with other literary and non-literary organisations. The John Hewitt Society was established in 1987, operating first as an event only, the John Hewitt Summer School and later as a Society, when it was incorporated as charity and a company limited by guarantee in 2001. Our company number is NI 41294 and we are a registered charity (NIC102629). Mission of The John Hewitt Society is: to promote literature, arts, and culture inspired by the ideals and ideas of the poet John Hewitt. The Society’s strategic priorities for 2018-2021 include: investment in staffing resources; continuing to develop the spring festival; maintaining the successful increase in funding towards the community outreach programme Once Alien Here; increasing the bursary community ticketing scheme and enhancing the international programme at the International Summer School.