Youth Poet Laureate- Applications Now Open!
Apply to be the first Youth Poet Laureate of Jersey City!
In collaboration with Urban Word NYC (home of the National Youth Poet Laureate), the Jersey City Free Public Library is launching the city’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate program. We’re inviting all creative writers ages 13–18 who live in Jersey City to apply and share their work!
After the application closes, a panel of judges will select 12 finalists to participate in a five-week poetry performance workshop series. The workshops will build toward a live, onstage final round of judging where each finalist will perform a poem, and one poet will be named the first Jersey City Youth Poet Laureate. All finalists will be honored for their creativity and dedication to our community.
The Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $500 award and opportunities to perform their work around Jersey City. They will also receive the optional opportunity to compete for the National Youth Poet Laureate title. The inaugural poet of the national program was Amanda Gorman in 2017.
The Jersey City Youth Poet Laureate will serve the city for one year.
Apply now!
Application closes June 30, 2026.
More info here: Home - Jersey City Youth Poet Laureate - LibGuides at Jersey City Public Library
