Johnny MacRae

Discipline: Spoken Word
Homebase: Vancouver
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, Kootenays, Virtual
Languages: English
Themes: Mental Health, Climate Change and/or Environmentalism
Grant Eligibility: Eligible to apply for AIC

Johnny MacRae is a spoken word (aka. slam) poet living on the unceded ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-waututh), and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) nations. Johnny's a versatile artist whose work ranges from a rap about public transit to quiet reflections on grief, and from evolutionary creation stories to a history of west coast maritime disasters. Since 2010, he has been a featured performer at dozens of poetry series and arts festivals across Turtle Island, both solo and with collaborative acts such as 2 Dope Boys in a Cadillac, Travelin' Word Circus and The Dambassadors. In 2013, he was named Poet of Honour for the Victoria Spoken Word Festival, and in 2017, received the Zaccheus Jackson Nyce Memorial Award. Having led numerous school residencies, performed dozens of assembly showcases, and given hundreds of classroom workshops, Johnny has the experience and skill to engage even those students who think they hate poetry!

Testimonials & Reviews

“Johnny is an extraordinary poet and presenter with a vivacious personality... The feedback from his performances, and creative writing workshops, is always passionate and so positive.” Sophie Hamel, Salmon Arm Secondary

“Even the students who usually don’t like anything liked everything today!” Sara Conkin, Gordon Head Middle

"Johnny's writing workshops encourage the students to see ordinary things in a new light, embrace their unique selves, and take creative risks outside their comfort zones. I always look forward to Johnny MacRae’s enrichment to my classroom!" Cindy Pitchford-Yeung, Lord Byng Secondary

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