Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate
Submissions open February 1-28, 2026
About Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate
The Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate (MYPL) celebrates our nation’s top youth poets who are committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement, and social impact. Teen writers (ages 13-19) are invited to submit a portfolio of their original poetry and a CV that showcases their artistic excellence and community impact. Local and State Youth Poet Laureates participate in dozens of national convenings, workshops, and performances each year.
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Questions? Contact Corey China |
Apply to be a Youth Poet Laureate
Statewide submissions for MYPL applicants are open in the month of February (Feb.1-28) to young writers ages 13-19 (at the time of submission). We encourage submissions from young writers and poets, as well as local, city and county MYPLs.
How to Apply
In order to participate, all entries must be submitted online at: youthlaureate.org. Applicants should select “Minnesota” and must be a resident of Minnesota.
Selection Process
ALL entries are adjudicated by a diverse panel of judges – most of whom are writers, poets and community leaders. Our judging rubric considers both the strength of the poetry portfolio and the CV /resume items noted in the application. The MYPL winner will be announced in late April.
Accessibility
The MYPL and Urban Word are committed to the inclusivity of all programming, submissions, and performances. Accessibility is considered at all levels, from the development of program materials to the planning of competitions. The MYPL Program must not exclude, or limit participation based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability in compliance with federal law and regulations, in terms of both facilities and programs.
Submission MaterialsOur judging rubric identifies teen writers who have exhibited artistic excellence and a commitment to civic engagement, youth leadership and social impact. Submissions must include:
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About the NYPL Program and Urban Word
Founded in 2008, the National Youth Poet Laureate Program is an initiative of Urban Word – the largest and most comprehensive youth literary arts organization in the country – in collaboration with local arts and literary organizations, Arts Councils and library systems; and is supported by the leading organizations in our field, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Academy of American Poets, the Poetry Coalition, the Library of Congress, the National Parks Service, and the Kennedy Center.
The Local Minnesota YOUTH POET LAUREATE® PROGRAM is a program of the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with Urban Word.
Did you know?
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