It exists to support and promote a poetry culture in Queensland and Australia, embracing the wide possibility of poetic expression in all of its forms.
QPF was originally founded by Brett Dionysius in 1997, an organisational role he continued in until 2001 when it was being run as the Subverse: Queensland Poetry Festival.
Since this new inception QPF has been directed by Julie Beveridge (2008–2009), Sarah Gory (2011–2014),[4] Co-Directors Anne-Marie Te Whiu and David Stavanger (2015–2017),[5] Lucy Nelson (2018–19), and Shane Strange (2022-)
In a speech delivered by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC as Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, he said:Not only poetry, but also poets, have enjoyed special status.
Since 2007 QP has been an incorporated community organisation with a dedicated and growing audience, with a strong tradition of volunteerism and known increasingly for celebrating poetry in all of its forms.
[12] In its history the festival has featured some of the world's finest poets, spoken word artists singer/songwriters and other artists including Mark Doty (US), Ali Cobby Eckermann, Joy Harjo (US), Jennifer Maiden and Maxine Beneba Clarke in 2017; Tracy K. Smith (US), Jeet Thayil (India), Lionel Fogarty, Ivan Coyote (Canada) and Tishani Doshi (India) in 2016; Kate Durbin (US), Les Murray, MacGillivray (Scotland) and David Brooks in 2015; Warsan Shire (UK) and Christian Bok (2014); Shane Rhodes (2013 – Canada); Angela Rawlings (2012 – Canada); Jacob Polley (2011 – UK) Emily XYZ (2010 – USA)[13] and August Kleinzahler (2010 – USA),[14] Hinemoana Baker (NZ) and Neil Murray (2009)[15] Shane Koyczan (2007 – Canada),[16] Chris Bailey (2005 – The Saints),[17] and Dave Graney (2006).