For Students

Applications for the 2025/26 Youth Poetry Fellowship are open April 1st-April 30th. Apply here. 

The Youth Poetry Fellowship offers:

The Youth Poetry Fellowship is a FREE poetry program for youth (ages 14-19) led by mentors Amy Hirayama & Jourdan I. Keith. Fellows attend meetings that focus on generative writing and community building. Mentors facilitate discussions on contemporary poetry, writing techniques, and offer inspiring prompts. All meetings and readings will take place at Hugo House. Located at 1634 11th Ave, Hugo House is a short walk from the Capitol Hill light rail station and the First Hill streetcar (Broadway & Pike-Pine stop), and within a half-mile of many buses, including routes 2, 8, 10, 11, 12, 43, 49, and 60.

Participation in the fellowship also includes seasonal reading opportunities, free access to all Seattle Arts & Lectures events, and the chance to read on SAL stages as an opening reader for visiting writers.

Meetings 12-2pm:

• Saturday, September 27th
• Saturday, October 11th
• Saturday, October 25th
• Saturday, November 8th
• Saturday, November 22nd
• Saturday, December 6th

Readings 7-8pm:

• Friday, December 12th
• Tuesday, June 23rd

Fellows are expected to attend all meetings and readings, to ensure that the cohort builds and grows together. If a fellow misses more than one meeting, SAL staff will reach out to you to discuss your ability to participate in the program.

Youth Poet Laureate

One fellow will be selected to serve as the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate (YPL). The YPL will publish a poetry chapbook through Poetry NW Editions, and will be eligible to compete in the Regional Poet Laureate competition. Finalists from the Regional Poet Laureate competition are eligible to compete in the National Youth Poet Laureate competition, a program of Urban Word. The YPL will also receive a $500 stipend, additional public reading opportunities, and will serve as a youth voice to the broader literary community.

All applicants to the Fellowship can opt-in to be considered for the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate position, but it is not a requirement.

For Teachers

Applications for the 2025/26 Youth Poetry Fellowship are open April 1st – April 30th.

Know a poet or leader who you think would be a fantastic fit for the Youth Poetry Fellowship and/or the title of Seattle Youth Poet Laureate? Encourage them to apply.

For Community Members

Interested in inviting the current Youth Poet Laureate to speak at your event? Fill out this Speaker Request Form, and email wits@lectures.org to be connected.

To connect with current or past Youth Poet Laureates on other matters, email wits@lectures.org.