Are You the Next Seattle Youth Poet Laureate?
March 23, 2018
Attention all young poets, rappers, leaders, and activists, ages 14-19 and living in Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region! Are you interested in representing the city as the 2018/19 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate? WITS is now accepting applications for this year’s Youth Poet Laureate, which will be open from March 23 – April 23, 2018.
The Seattle Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) program aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to poetry and performance, civic and community engagement, education and equity across the Puget Sound Region. Along with the prestigious title of Seattle Youth Poet Laureate, the winning poet will also get a book deal from local publisher Poetry Northwest to publish their first collection of poems. The Seattle Youth Poet Laureate will have numerous opportunities and platforms to share their powerful voice, their leadership, and love for the city at events throughout the region over the course of the following year. Seattle Arts & Lectures and our other partners recognize that youth voice and community engagement are vital for empowering young people to effect positive changes in their communities and beyond.
A group of esteemed judges will choose eight finalists from the application pool, and will select one teen to be honored with the title of Youth Poet Laureate and a runner-up Youth Poet Ambassador at the Commencement Performance, Memorial Day Weekend at the Northwest Folklife Festival. Winners and finalists will be notified in early May.
2018 Submission Guidelines:
1. Applicants must be current residents of the Seattle region, and between the ages of 14-19 years old. (Applicants living outside the technical Seattle city borders are welcome to apply, knowing many events during the year take place in Seattle, so regular access to Seattle is requested.)
2. Submit five original poems, raps, or performances (optional: YouTube links to your poems).
3. Include a resume that has your name, address, phone number, and email, as well as a detailed list of your accomplishments, community service, after school programs, volunteer experiences and awards.
4. Your entire application is due by Monday, April 23, 2018. Applications may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:
Seattle Youth Poet Laureate
C/O Writers in the Schools
340 15th Ave E, Suite 301
Seattle, WA 98112
Download the 2018/19 Submission Guidelines here.