The Howard County Youth Poet Laureate program, in partnership with the Office of County, 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.
Donor Name: Howard County Arts Council (HCAC)
State: Maryland
County: Howard County (MD)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
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 communities through local public readings and participation in civic events.
Funding Information
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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.
Examples of Youth Poet Laureate events and related activities include:
- Participation in literary community 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
- 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.
For more information, visit Howard County Arts Council.
