APPLICATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 10!
The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning is proud to announce its continuation of Kentucky’s first Youth Poet Laureate chapter in Lexington. This prestigious program, in partnership with Urban Word NYC and the Kentucky Arts Council, is designed to honor young writers and leaders in Kentucky between the ages of 13-18, who are committed to making a civic impact through community engagement utilizing the power of their written and spoken words. We strongly believe that when we honor young people and give them this kind of office, the community is more likely to listen to what they have to say.
YPL Class: Thursdays in OCT
YPL Application window: NOV-DEC 10th
YPL Judging: DEC
YPL Finalists Announced by: January 10
YPL Finalists Meet-up*: January 17
YPL COMMENCEMENT**: Jan 31st
**This meet-up is to ensure students are properly prepared and knowledgeable about the expectations, were they to win the commencement. (Most importantly, the $500 stipend is given upfront to compensate for all speaking engagements through that year)
***This is the competition where our finalists will be given a chance to perform their poetry and be graded by a panel of judges. Light snacks provided.
This program is offered in partnership with Urban Word NYC and the Kentucky Arts Council.
For full program details, click HERE.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
The National Youth Poet Laureate Program is an Urban Word NYC (UW) initiative— in collaboration with local youth literary arts organizations across the country. The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities— championed by the leading national literary organizations, including the Academy of American Poets, Poetry Society of America, PEN Center USA, and Cave Canem. Read more about the National Youth Poet Laureate Program here: https://www.youthlaureate.org/home
TO BE ELIGIBLE YOU MUST:
• Be a Fayette County, Kentucky resident between the ages of 13 and 18.
• Be available to serve as Lexington Youth Poet Laureate for the December 2024-December 2025 program year.
• Live locally throughout the program year.
• Not be enrolled in college full-time during the program year.
WINNER OF COMPETITION RECEIVES:
• A grant of $500 to do some good at a community organization of their choice.
• Professional mentorship from a local poet/activist ($500 value)
• Poetry featured in a chapbook and copies of the chapbook.
• Free access to one of the Nikky Finney Writer Cubbies at the Carnegie Center for a year (business hours only).
• Community project support from the Carnegie Center.
• Several free writing classes at the Carnegie Center.
• Help cultivating their public speaking rhetorical style.
• Opportunity to compete in the Regional Youth Poet Laureate Competition.
POET LAUREATE DUTIES:
•Inspire civic engagement, social justice, cultural awareness, and literary excellence.
• Develop a community project to grow your writing craft and inspire our communities.
• Attend and perform at public and/or private events (at least four).
• Share your experiences, writing process, and values on online platforms.
• Write one “clean” poem for the Carnegie Center website.
• Submit three poems for the national anthology by Urban Word.
APPLICATIONS OPEN IN NOVEMBER. THEY MUST INCLUDE:
• Three original poems showing your content, craft, and voice (10 pages or less).
• Artist statement that tells us who you are and what poetry means to you (250 words or less).
• Resume with a list of awards, community service, work experience, and/or activism.
• Contact info of an adult sponsor who knows your writing, school performance, and/or community involvement.
• Parent/guardian's contact info (unless you’re 18 by December 31, 2024).
