Madison Reporter

The Madison Arts Commission, in collaboration with Madison Poet Laureate Steven Dawson, has announced the third annual call for a Madison Youth Poet Laureate. "The next YPL will have a direct line to the future of poetry in Madison. It’s a great way to represent your city and put your finger on that pulse," said City of Madison Poet Laureate Steven Dawson.

The Madison Youth Poet Laureate program is a joint initiative between the City of Madison and the National Youth Poet Laureate program, which is an initiative of Urban Word. The program aims to honor talented young poets and provide them with competitive opportunities to showcase their literary art on both regional and national stages.

The selected Madison Youth Poet Laureate will serve for one year and is expected to give three public readings alongside the current Madison Poet Laureate during their term. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to apply for the National Youth Poet Laureate role in the fall.

Applications for the 2024-2025 Madison Youth Poet Laureate opened on May 7, 2024, and will close on June 7, 2024. To be eligible, applicants must be aged between 13 and 19 at the time of selection and must reside within the City of Madison.

Applicants are required to attend and read one of their submitted poems at the Madison Arts Commission meeting scheduled for June 11, 2024 at 5:30 PM. The winner will be announced in July.

Steven Espada Dawson currently serves as the Madison Poet Laureate. He hails from East Los Angeles and is a former Ruth Lilly Fellow and Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellow. He has taught creative writing at various universities, libraries, and prisons across the country.

Dawson along with members of the Madison Arts Commission believe it's crucial to provide an official platform that elevates young poets' unique voices in our city.

The National Youth Poet Laureate Program works with local arts organizations across the United States to elevate youth voices committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement, and social impact. The program is supported by several organizations including the Academy of American Poets, the Poetry Society of America, the Library of Congress, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) is an 11-member citizen commission appointed by the Mayor to advise the City about matters of arts and culture. MAC’s mission is to foster arts appreciation by initiating partnerships, developing new audiences, sponsoring diverse artistic activities while preserving Madison’s rich artistic tradition.