Surprise arts organization seeks next youth poet laureate

Nathaniel George, the first ever youth poet laureate representing the West Valley, will be awarding the next inductee the title Friday, April 19 at WHAM Art Gallery, 16560 N. Dysart Road.

“My experience in serving as the inaugural West Valley youth poet laureate has been incredibly transformative and has allowed me to grow immensely in confidence as a youth writer and leader,” Nathaniel said. “WHAM has been invaluable in connecting me to opportunities across the Valley to advocate for the inclusion of youth in literary arts, as well as providing support in helping to build the program to reach even more youth writers for its second year.”

To qualify, youth must be between the ages of 14 and 18 and reside in one of the following West Valley cities: Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Sun City, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg or Youngtown.

Applicants must submit contact information, a short essay response and a creative writing sample of three to five poems as part of their application. Every applicant will have the opportunity for their work to be published in a chapbook.

The application is due 11:59 p.m. March 22, and five finalists will be notified in time to perform their work for the ceremony April 19, during which the selected 2024-25 West Valley youth poet laureate will be announced and awarded.

“Nathanial came to us with the idea of creating a viable outlet for young poets,” said Connie Whitlock, executive director at WHAM. “As we grow our literary art programs, our goal is to make the youth poet laureate program a yearly event.”

The 2024-25 West Valley youth poet laureate application can be accessed by visiting wham-art.org/wvypl.

Contact WHAM literary arts manager Maggie Gautier at maggie.gautier@wham-art.org for information.