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OC Youth Poet Laureate applications are open, deadline July 15th!

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About the OC Youth Poet Laureate Program

LMAC is proud to announce the launch of our Orange County Youth Poet Laureate Program (OCYPL)! The OCYPL Program is meant to inspire, create social change, and to be enjoyed by audiences across the county, and perhaps, the country and world.

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As a partner with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program and Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL) we hope youth poets use their voices for change. â€‹In 2021, Orange County selected its first ever Youth Poet Laureate, Tina Mai. We look forward to appointing more youth in the years to come.

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The National Youth Poet Laureate Program works with local youth literary arts organizations across the United States to identify and celebrate exceptional youth poets who use their voice to inspire change.


The OC Youth Poet Laureate program is an unprecedented countywide effort to celebrate literacy through poetry and connect young writers to far-reaching opportunities. Each year we accept applications from talented OC writers (ages 13-19) to join a community of young poets. The Laureate earns an honorarium that can be applied as an educational scholarship or towards additional arts programming. The Laureate will, and all the Finalists are invited to, serve as ambassadors for literacy, arts and youth expression with ongoing opportunities for performances, projects, and peer support.

 

We will open applications April 15th, 2022 and accept them through July 15th, 2022. 

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About the OC Poet Laureate Program

LMAC is proud to announce the launch of our Orange County Poet Laureate Program (OC-PL)! The OC-PL Program is meant to celebrate a culturally-based literary role-model, social change, and to be enjoyed by audiences across the county supporting a civic and literary leader for generations to come.

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As a partner with the Orange County Public Libraries (OCPL), it is LMAC's aspiration to value and promote cultural events, programs and services that benefit the residents of the county. 

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In collaboration with the OCPL, we hope the OC Poet Laureate (over 19 years old) will help us share poetry and local social justice initiatives. ​In 2021, Orange County selected its first ever OC Poet Laureate, Dr. Natalie J. Graham. Since then, her term was extended through August 2023.

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The goals of the program are to inspire OC residents with the transformative community engagement and positive impact of poetry; provide OC residents with opportunities to engage in literary arts and write or perform poetry; and bring poetry to a variety of settings in OC.

 

All OC Poet Laureate initiatives will aim to promote cultural connections and partnership opportunities representing the regional demographics that include approximately 60% people of color.

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We will open applications April 15th, 2023 and accept them through July 15th, 2023. 

If you need an application in a different language, please feel free to request it. Email us here!

2022-2023 OC Poet Laureate Appointments & Programs
In order to ensure the safety and health of participating youth and all OC residents, the 2022-2023 OC Poet Laureates appointment ceremony and community-based readings will be assessed for safety and maintained through hybrid events on-site at the LibroMobile bookstore gallery and community partners' sites, as well as made accessible virtually.

 

Key Dates 

OC Youth Poet Laureate Application Opens
April 15th, 2022 - Download the Application for Specifics

Sections Required:

  1. ​Contact Information

  2. Application Questions

  3. Work Sample

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OC Youth Poet Laureate Program Info Sessions & Youth Workshops 

April - July, 2022

 

OCYPL Application Deadline

July 15th, 2022

 

Announcement of 2022-2023 OC Youth Poet Laureate Appointment
August 15th, 2022

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Celebratory OC Youth Poet Laureate 1st Reading

Date and details to be announced

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More details to be posted soon!

FAQs

  • Do poet laureates have to reside in O.C.?

    • Yes, poet laureates need to have a direct connection to the region and​ reside in O.C.
       

  • Can poet laureates hold previous poet laureate positions in O.C. or other regions?​

    • Yes, but all applicants will be evaluated under the same criteria, regardless of previous poet laureate titles.​
       

  • Do poet laureates need to be U.S. citizens?

    • No, we accept applications from all residents in O.C.​
       

  • Is there an honorarium for appointed O.C. poet laureates?​

    • Yes, LibroMobile is making arrangements to provide poet laureates with a budget. The amount will not be disclosed until O.C. poet laureates are appointed. We do not want monetary compensation to be an incentive but honor that payment for time and programming is necessary.
       

  • Have another question?

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