Gateway Regional Arts Center Announces 3rd Annual Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Competition
Mt. Sterling, KY — The Gateway Regional Arts Center (GRAC) is thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate competition, a program dedicated to uplifting the voices of young writers across the commonwealth.
The Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate program, in collaboration with Urban Word, seeks to recognize young poets, leaders, and changemakers who are committed to civic engagement, community service, diversity, and inclusion. By amplifying youth voices, the program underscores the essential role young people play in shaping civic discourse and inspiring future generations.
"We are excited to amplify the voices of Kentucky's youth, who are the future of our creative economy and cultural production here in the commonwealth," said Jordan Campbell, Executive Director of GRAC. “This program not only celebrates the power of young poets but also highlights their role as civic leaders and cultural ambassadors for Kentucky.”
GRAC proudly partners with the National Youth Poet Laureate program, which is administered across the United States by UrbanWordNYC. Kentucky is one of only a handful of states with a statewide Youth Poet Laureate program, alongside Vermont, Maryland, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nebraska, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. Additionally, Lexington has a city-wide Youth Poet Laureate program, further showcasing the state’s commitment to uplifting young literary voices.
Applications Now Open
GRAC welcomes applicants from all 120 Kentucky counties to apply. The application period is now open, with submissions accepted until February 28, 2025.
To be eligible, applicants must:
Be between the ages of 13-19 at the time of submission
Have been a Kentucky resident for at least five years
Reside in Kentucky for the entire year as YPL
Previous winners of the Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate title include Maira Faisal (2024) and Amy Roblero-Perez (2023), the latter of whom made history as Kentucky’s first-ever statewide Youth Poet Laureate.
Kentucky’s Youth Poet Laureates have been featured at prestigious events, including appearances at the Kentucky State Capitol, with the Kentucky Arts Council, and at literary and cultural gatherings across the state, from Hindman to Paducah. To learn more and apply go to www.grackentucky.org/ky-ypl
