The New School's Writing Program began collaborating with Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization promoting poetry of the African Diaspora, in 2001. The collection primarily contains sound recordings of public programming from the first decade of the partnership.

The New School was a frequent host of Poetry Society of America events, co-sponsored by the university's MFA in Creative Writing Program and the university division formerly known as Schools of Public Engagement that focused on continuing education and public programming. This collection of mostly audio recordings documents Poetry Society of America readings, festivals, and awards ceremonies over approximately a decade.