Applications for the 2022-2023 program will open up in the spring of 2022.
Learn more about the current Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate, Myra Kamal, here!
Creative Youth of Arizona LLC is proud to present the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Program in conjunction with RE:FRAME Youth Arts Center, the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, and Urban Word!
Learn more about the current Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate, Myra Kamal, here!
Creative Youth of Arizona LLC is proud to present the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Program in conjunction with RE:FRAME Youth Arts Center, the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, and Urban Word!
Picture from the 2019 Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Announcement Ceremony.
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What is the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Program?
The Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to foster the creative voices of Phoenix by providing mentorship and service, as well as opportunities for literary and personal growth. After adjudication by a panel of diverse, Phoenix-area creators, one Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) will be selected to represent Phoenix nationally as a literary ambassador. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What does it entail?
By applying to this competition, applicants will have their work adjudicated by local poets; one winner (the Youth Poet Laureate, or YPL) will then receive recognition for their poetry and accomplishments, before embarking on a year of community service and mentorship by Phoenix-area poets. This year will enable the YPL to receive further feedback on their work, while benefiting the Phoenix community through implementation of an innovative series of workshops focused on the areas or issues of the YPL’s choice. Upon termination of the each YPL’s year of service, the YPL will continue their poetic work under their own guidance, and the Youth Poet Laureate program itself will continue on, creating a rich poetic tradition in Phoenix.
How long is the year of service?
The Youth Poet Laureate's service begins in August of the contest year and ends in August of the following year.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to apply if you live or attend school in the Phoenix metro area and are between the ages 13 to 19. You don’t have to identify as a poet to apply; all are welcome!
Where can I learn more about last year’s program?
You can learn more about last year’s program on www.cyaz.org or on the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate’s official instagram, @phxyouthpoetlaureateprogram.
What does the youth poet laureate do?
The Youth Poet Laureate serves as a youth literary ambassador for the city. What that entails to each poet laureate will look different, but essentially, you are tasked with spreading your passion for poetry and storytelling to others! Additionally, with the title of Youth Poet Laureate, different opportunities sometimes become available for Laureates to pursue! Last year, the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate attended a writing retreat in Ohio, fully funded by the National Youth Poet Laureate Program and the Virginia G. Piper Center at Arizona State University.
What kind of events did the Youth Poet Laureate perform at?
The Youth Poet Laureate performs anywhere from coffee shops to museums to writing conferences. The world is your stage! For a brief overview, the 2019-2020 Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate performed at the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Virginia G. Piper Center at Arizona State University, among others. *Due to COVID-19, please note that performances are limited.
What does the timeline for the program look like?
On May 31st, applications are due. Around mid-July, applicants are told of their status. A select number of finalists will be chosen and invited to a Youth Poet Laureate appointment ceremony in August. The Youth Poet Laureate serves for one full year, from August to August.
If I am going to school out-of-state, may I apply?
In order to be a Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate, poets must be able to perform at events and complete their service project within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Therefore, Arizona students who are attending out of state schools cannot apply.
What is the time commitment for being a Youth Poet Laureate?
Though the program is flexible, i.e. that you can choose to perform at events and complete your service project on your own schedule, you can expect to dedicate at least 10 hours a month to being a Youth Poet Laureate.
Where can I apply and what does an application entail?
A complete application will include some brief biographical details, a poetry sample of up to 5 poems, and a resume. (The application is now closed!)
What criteria is there?
The rubric for resumes is here and the rubric for poetry samples is here.
Where can I get help with my application?
If you have any additional questions on the program or want clarification on a specific component of your application, feel free to contact info@cyaz.org.
Who should help me with my application?
Feel free to ask trusted teachers, mentors, or other young people to look at your poetic work and resume! Editing and asking for help is perfectly okay, but we do expect all applicants to apply with original work.
What kinds of poems should I submit?
Any type of poem is welcome! We encourage applicants to pay particular attention to the standards outlined in the poetry rubric and to focus on being creative and clear.
What exactly should my resume include?
Essentially, your resume is a brag sheet! We will want to hear all about your accomplishments! Feel free to follow the CV template provided above, or to use your own. Applications will not be judged on the design of the CV; rather, applicants should focus on representing their honest experiences and work in their community!
If you have any additional questions, please email us at info@cyaz.org—we are more than happy to answer any ponderings you have!
By applying to this competition, applicants will have their work adjudicated by local poets; one winner (the Youth Poet Laureate, or YPL) will then receive recognition for their poetry and accomplishments, before embarking on a year of community service and mentorship by Phoenix-area poets. This year will enable the YPL to receive further feedback on their work, while benefiting the Phoenix community through implementation of an innovative series of workshops focused on the areas or issues of the YPL’s choice. Upon termination of the each YPL’s year of service, the YPL will continue their poetic work under their own guidance, and the Youth Poet Laureate program itself will continue on, creating a rich poetic tradition in Phoenix.
How long is the year of service?
The Youth Poet Laureate's service begins in August of the contest year and ends in August of the following year.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to apply if you live or attend school in the Phoenix metro area and are between the ages 13 to 19. You don’t have to identify as a poet to apply; all are welcome!
Where can I learn more about last year’s program?
You can learn more about last year’s program on www.cyaz.org or on the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate’s official instagram, @phxyouthpoetlaureateprogram.
What does the youth poet laureate do?
The Youth Poet Laureate serves as a youth literary ambassador for the city. What that entails to each poet laureate will look different, but essentially, you are tasked with spreading your passion for poetry and storytelling to others! Additionally, with the title of Youth Poet Laureate, different opportunities sometimes become available for Laureates to pursue! Last year, the Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate attended a writing retreat in Ohio, fully funded by the National Youth Poet Laureate Program and the Virginia G. Piper Center at Arizona State University.
What kind of events did the Youth Poet Laureate perform at?
The Youth Poet Laureate performs anywhere from coffee shops to museums to writing conferences. The world is your stage! For a brief overview, the 2019-2020 Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate performed at the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Virginia G. Piper Center at Arizona State University, among others. *Due to COVID-19, please note that performances are limited.
What does the timeline for the program look like?
On May 31st, applications are due. Around mid-July, applicants are told of their status. A select number of finalists will be chosen and invited to a Youth Poet Laureate appointment ceremony in August. The Youth Poet Laureate serves for one full year, from August to August.
If I am going to school out-of-state, may I apply?
In order to be a Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate, poets must be able to perform at events and complete their service project within the Phoenix metropolitan area. Therefore, Arizona students who are attending out of state schools cannot apply.
What is the time commitment for being a Youth Poet Laureate?
Though the program is flexible, i.e. that you can choose to perform at events and complete your service project on your own schedule, you can expect to dedicate at least 10 hours a month to being a Youth Poet Laureate.
Where can I apply and what does an application entail?
A complete application will include some brief biographical details, a poetry sample of up to 5 poems, and a resume. (The application is now closed!)
What criteria is there?
The rubric for resumes is here and the rubric for poetry samples is here.
Where can I get help with my application?
If you have any additional questions on the program or want clarification on a specific component of your application, feel free to contact info@cyaz.org.
Who should help me with my application?
Feel free to ask trusted teachers, mentors, or other young people to look at your poetic work and resume! Editing and asking for help is perfectly okay, but we do expect all applicants to apply with original work.
What kinds of poems should I submit?
Any type of poem is welcome! We encourage applicants to pay particular attention to the standards outlined in the poetry rubric and to focus on being creative and clear.
What exactly should my resume include?
Essentially, your resume is a brag sheet! We will want to hear all about your accomplishments! Feel free to follow the CV template provided above, or to use your own. Applications will not be judged on the design of the CV; rather, applicants should focus on representing their honest experiences and work in their community!
If you have any additional questions, please email us at info@cyaz.org—we are more than happy to answer any ponderings you have!
