826 Valencia, Youth Speaks, the San Francisco Public Library, and the Mayor’s Office are accepting applications for San Francisco’s Youth Poet Laureate Program. All young poets and aspiring writers ages 14–19 in San Francisco are encouraged to apply!
We will choose 20 students to join a workshop series every two weeks in San Francisco (September 2026–February 2027). After the sessions, two cohort members will be selected to serve as San Francisco’s Youth Poet Laureate and Vice Laureate, representing the city through their art and civic engagement.
Additionally, the entire cohort will be invited to apply to the statewide and national Youth Poet Laureate competitions and will receive application advisory support as well as publication and performance opportunities in the Spring of 2027.
To be eligible, participants must:
- Reside in San Francisco
- Be 14–19 years old
How to apply: Please complete this application.
Application deadline: August 09 at 11:59 pm (PST)
We look forward to reading your applications!
Photo of San Francisco Youth Poet Laureate, Karan Gupta, by Kristin Cofer