THE SEARCH is on for Warwickshire’s next Young Poet Laureate.
Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Library Service has announced the opening of the competition to become the county’s eighth Young Poet Laureate for 2023-24.
The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire, and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience.
The Laureateship is also a chance for the successful candidate to develop their writing skills and take part in events and activities across the county under the mentorship of a professional poet.
Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film and at festivals, and led their own poetry workshops.
Coun Yousef Dahmash, WCC’s spokesman for Customer and Transformation, said: “The Young Poet Laureate initiative offers an exciting opportunity for our young people to fully immerse themselves in the world of poetry. Through reading, writing, and performing, they can really embrace the beauty of this art form.
“Over the years, Warwickshire Libraries’ Laureates have ignited the imaginations of countless young minds by conducting workshops, appearing on film and radio, participating in festivals, and, most importantly, spreading the message that poetry is accessible to everyone.
“The competition is part of our wider work for a Child Friendly Warwickshire, aimed at ensuring all young people have their voices heard and that they are safe, happy, healthy, and equipped with the right skills to thrive in life. I wholeheartedly encourage Warwickshire’s young poets to seize this chance and apply for the Young Poet Laureate role.”
Applications are open until the deadline of 6pm on Thursday October 5. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Thursday October 26.
They will then be invited to take part in a selection day at one of Warwickshire’s libraries on Saturday November 4, which includes a workshop with a professional poet, a short interview with judges, and a performance in front of an audience at a public event.
The Young Poet Laureate competition is run by Warwickshire Libraries and supported by Poetry on Loan, an initiative supported by Arts Council England which promotes contemporary poetry throughout public libraries in the West Midlands.
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youngpoetlaureate for more information, or to enter the competition.
