The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County recently announced the launch of a youth poet laureate program for the Culture Coast region. The Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate program aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to poetry and performance, civic and community engagement, diversity and social justice across Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte Counties. Applicants should be between the ages of 13 and 19 and must be a resident of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto or Charlotte County. Along with completion of the application, students are required to submit three original poems, totalling no more than six pages. Finalists will be asked to attend a judging session so that their ability to present their poems effectively (as well as writing good poems) can be assessed. Applications are due no later than Friday, September 30, 2022 at 5:00 PM. A Youth Poetry Laureate Committee made up of professional poets, publishers and spoken word artists with connections to our community will review the submissions and recommend candidates for consideration. The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County will make the final appointment of the Youth Poet Laureate, who earns a $500 stipend and embarks on a year of opportunities as an ambassador for literary arts and youth expression. They also qualify to be selected as the National Youth Poet Laureate. The inaugural Sarasota Youth Poet Laureate, along with the other finalists will be presented at an award ceremony on Monday, November 7th, 2022 at the Historic Asolo Theatre at The Ringling. To honor this inaugural event and special evening, Ada Limón, Poet Laureate of the United States, will attend as the guest of honor. During her visit, Limón will also visit a school in the region to meet and work with students passionate about the literary arts.

“We are beyond thrilled to have the Poet Laureate of the United States coming to Sarasota to celebrate this program and our students,” Jim Shirley, Executive Director of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to meet and work with one of the most successful contemporary poets in the nation.

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