Originally founded in 1994 in London, Big Word Performance Poetry went on to run weekly four-act poetry cabarets in the UK capital for several years, as well as annual shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, before relocating to Edinburgh in 2001. It now organises regular poetry performances and competitive 'slams' around Scotland, as well as undertaking international tours, including yearly visits to fringe festivals in Canada.

Its aims are to aid the development of a vibrant and diverse live poetry scene in Edinburgh and beyond, by presenting high-quality work at accessible prices. Big Word programmes often feature overseas artists, and its organisers are keen to deveop further international collaborations.