Applications for the 2024-25 YPF program are open from March 1st-March 31st.
The Youth Poetry Fellowship offers:
The Youth Poetry Fellowship is a free poetry fellowship for youth (ages 14-19) led by mentors Nanya Jhingran & Jourdan I. Keith. Fellows meet once a month on Zoom for mentor-led poetry workshops from 4:30-6pm on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning in October 2024 and ending in May 2025.*
Workshops will focus on generative writing and community building, with each meeting beginning with one fellow reading an original poem to the group to practice performance and to get to know each other’s work.
Participation in the fellowship also includes seasonal reading opportunities and free access to all 2023-2024 Seattle Arts and Lectures events and the chance to read on SAL stages as opening reader for visiting writers. All in-person meetings and readings will take place in Seattle, in central locations.
In-person Meetings 4-6pm:
- Wednesday, September 11th
- Wednesday, January 8th
- Wednesday, May 14th
In-person Readings 7-8pm:
- Wednesday, December 11th
- Wednesday, March 12th
Online Meetings 4:30-6pm:
- Wednesday, October 9th
- Wednesday, November 13th
- Wednesday, February 12th
- Wednesday, April 9th
*Attendance is required for all meetings and readings. You may miss one if you are unable to make it, and SAL staff will reach out to you if you miss more than one meeting.
One fellow will be selected to serve as the Youth Poet Laureate (YPL). The YPL will be a leader within the fellowship and will work closely with mentors to publish a chapbook of poems through Poetry NW Editions. The YPL will also receive additional public reading opportunities and will serve as a youth voice to the broader literary community. The Seattle Youth Poet Laureate is eligible to compete in the Regional Youth Poet Laureate Competition. If they are a finalist, they are eligible to compete in the National Youth Poet Laureate Competition, a program of Urban Word.
Note: All applicants to the Fellowship can opt-in to be considered for the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate position, but it is not a requirement.
To Apply
- Applications for the 2024-25 Youth Poetry Fellowship are open from March 1st-March 31st, 2024. Applicants must be ages 14-19 during the 2024-25 school year.
- Fill out this Google form to submit your application. Please upload 3 original typed poems in a PDF, and 1 video recording (3 minutes or less) of you reading an original poem in the Google form.
- Your entire application is due by 6pm on Sunday, March 31st. Each applicant will be considered for the Fellowship, and you can opt-in to be considered for the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate role.
Applications for the 2024-25 Youth Poetry Fellowship are open March 1st-March 31st.
Know a star 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. Applications can be submitted through this Google form.
