What better way to kick off the Youth Poet Laureate application season than with a poetry workshop for teens? Youth poets interested in applying to be the Poet Laureate (or interested in learning more about it) can attend this workshop led by Gaia Rajan, author of poetry collection Killing It and undergraduate student at Carnegie Mellon University. After some poetry practice and discussion guided by Gaia, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and get assistance with their applications from our Youth Poet Laureate coordinator Alexis Jabour. 

If you are interested in applying but cannot attend the workshop, or wish to begin working on your application before attending the workshop, feel free to get started on your application today. Applications open from now until September 30, 2024.

About the Youth Poet Laureate:

The Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County is awarded to an artist between 13-18 years old who is passionate about their art and their communities.

The Youth Poet of Allegheny County 2024-25 receives:

• a prize of $500
• artistic support and paid performance opportunities during one-year term (2024-2025)
• publication in the National Youth Poet Laureate anthology
• entry into the National Youth Poet Laureate competition
• paid performance for the Commencement Ceremony

To be eligible for the award, you must:

• be a resident of Allegheny County during the 2024-25 academic year
• be 13-18 years old in July 2024
• demonstrate community involvement
• demonstrate engagement with social justice causes

About the Instructor:

Gaia Rajan is the author of Killing It (Black Lawrence Press, 2022). His work has appeared in Best New Poets, the Best of the Net anthology, The Kenyon Review, THRUSH, Split Lip Magazine, diode, Palette Poetry, and elsewhere. Gaia is an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University, studying computer science and creative writing. He lives in Pittsburgh and online at @gaiarajan on Twitter or Instagram.

About Your Visit: 

This program is in-person ONLY.

This workshop is designed for teen participants (age 13-18).