Howard County Youth Poet Laureate 2025-2026
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Howard County Youth Poet Laureate Guidelines and Application Instructions
The Howard County Poet Laureate program, in partnership with the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball, the Howard County Arts Council, and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo), will help amplify the power of youth expression, celebrate community, and promote literacy and literary arts in Howard County.
The Youth Poet Laureate, an honorary one-year position formally appointed by the County Executive, will act as an ambassador for literacy, arts, and youth expression and demonstrate a passion a passion for poetry and its power to connect our communities through local public readings and participation in civic events. Along with the official title, the Youth Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium of $500.
The next Youth Poet Laureate will serve from August 2025 through June 2026 and will receive an honorarium of $500 paid in two equal installments of $250 at the beginning and end of their term. The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) administers this program in partnership with Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo).
Eligibility Criteria for the Howard County Youth Poet Laureate
The Howard County Youth Poet Laureate program, seeks young writers who are passionate about their poetry and their community. In order to be eligible to apply, you must:
● Be a current Howard County resident, and either live in Howard County between August 2025 and June 2026 or be available to present in-person at public events in Howard County during this timeframe (for example, a resident who will be attending a college or university next year within commuting distance of Howard County).
● Be between the ages of 14 (and a freshman in High School) and 21 at the time of application.
● Demonstrate community engagement in the arts .
● Be the creator of original poetic work.
HCAC and HoCoPoLitSo Trustees, Board members, and employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply. Former HoCoPoLitSo Bauder Youth on Board members need to have resigned from the Board at least 60 days before applying.
Duties of the Howard County Youth Poet Laureate
The Youth Poet Laureate shall serve as an ambassador for literacy, poetry, and youth expression by participating in 5 to 8 public and/or civic events during the 2025-26 term. Examples of Youth Poet Laureate events and related activities include:
- Participation in National Poetry Month activities in Howard County, such as the annual Blackbird Poetry Festival produced by HoCoPoLitSo and Howard Community College during National Poetry Month, or HoCoPoLitSo's Wilde Reading Series.
- Participation in up to 4 readings and speaking engagements for the Howard County Executive and County Departments as determined and scheduled through HCAC in coordination with the Office of the County Executive.
- Participation in social media activity related to Youth Poet Laureate events and projects.
4. After their term as Youth Poet Laureate is complete, at their discretion, serve on the selection panel(s) for future Howard County Youth Poet Laureates.
To Apply
Log Into or Create Your Submittable Account
Once you have entered the system, please review the complete application and guidelines, which include detailed instructions. You will need to prepare digital and video work samples, a brief biography and statement about what poetry means to you, and a description of your community engagement in any aspect of the arts. In addition, you will need to secure one or two references from adults (non-family members) who know you and can speak to your community involvement and/or school activities as well as the power of your poetry.
Applications for Howard County Youth Poet Laureate open on January 16. The deadline to submit applications is April 24, 2025.
If for any reason you are not able to submit application materials online, please contact Dana Whipkey, HCAC Grants and Special Projects Coordinator at grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org or 410.313. ARTS(2787).
Timeline
Application opens: January 16, 2025
Application deadline: April 24, 2025
Selection announcement: September, 2025
To View Complete Guidelines and Instructions Click Here