Apply to be the Youth Poet Laureate

Become Nanaimo's next Youth Poet Laureate 2026 - 2028

Deadline for Submissions: October 19, 2025 | 11:59pm

Call for 2026-2028 Youth Poet Laureate (PDF)
*Online Submission Form below*

The City of Nanaimo is seeking nominations for our next Youth Poet Laureate! Drawing on the expertise of a new generation of Nanaimo poets and the success of previous Youth Poet Laureates, the City of Nanaimo’s next Youth Poet Laureate will serve as a literary ambassador, creating opportunities for the community to appreciate strong youth voices. Reaching a variety of audiences and encouraging peer to peer education and inspiration, the Youth Poet Laureate will pave the way for future youth to engage on a civic level using their artistic voice. The Youth Poet Laureate is an advocate for poetry, language, and the arts. Mentored by the Poet Laureate, the Youth Poet Laureate will present original work to City Council and the community through a variety of civic events. They will also be responsible for organizing community-based youth poetry projects.

Should you experience challenges or barriers in this application process or require additional support, we encourage you to reach out to: cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca (250-755-4483).

About the Program

TERM AND REMUNERATION

The City of Nanaimo Youth Poet Laureate will be provided a $2500 honorarium and $500 of project funding, in addition to a six-month mentorship with the City of Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate. The term for the Youth Poet Laureate is for two (2) years, beginning 2026-JAN-01.

Eligibility

WHO CAN APPLY

In order to be eligible as Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate, candidates must be 13 to 24 years of age (youth) and reside within the City of Nanaimo. Candidates can be nominated by someone else or be self-nominated.

Applicants must include in their submission the following documentation:

At least three (3) original poems in any format including written, audio or video. If submitting audio or video, please include a written transcript of the poems.
Letter of intent including an outline of the vision for the Youth Poet Laureate position and at least three (3) sample ideas of projects that they would undertake as Youth Poet Laureate.
Résumé outlining their community engagement experience related to school, work and/or volunteering.
Emergency contact information

Timeline

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE

Deadline for Entries: October 19, 2025
Interviews with Shortlisted Candidates: November 6/ 7, 2025
Notification of Acceptance/ Council Approval: December 2025
Project opportunities Jan 2026 - Dec 2027

Duties

THE YOUTH POET LAUREATE WILL:

Participate in the cultural life of the city and serve as a literary youth ambassador for Nanaimo.
Engage in a mentee relationship with the current City of Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate
Undertake a community engagement project to engage youth (example: youth-at-risk).
Perform a poetry reading during at least one (1) City Council meeting and may choose or be asked to perform at other public events.
Work with Youth Literacy Central Vancouver Island to organize a poetry reading, with the potential for additional programming.
Create three (3) new original works of poetry.
Collaborate with the Vancouver Island Regional Library (Harbourfront) to develop poetry related programs, such as a poetry writing workshop culminating in a poetry slam event.
Organize a poetry reading at the Vancouver Island Regional Library (Harbourfront).

How to Apply

DELIVERING SUBMISSION MATERIALS

Submissions must be received no later than 11:59pm Pacific Time, October 19, 2025.

There are three ways to submit:

Submit your application via the online submission form below.
Submit your application via email: cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca, ATTN: Youth Poet Laureate Application.
Drop off your application in-person to the Culture & Events Dropbox, located at the Bowen Complex, 500 Bowen Road. The Dropbox is located on the lower level of the building near the tennis courts (Pine Street Entrance). The application must be enclosed and sealed in an envelope/package clearly marked:

Your Name

Youth Poet Laureate Application

City of Nanaimo

Culture and Events

Contact Information

Full Name

Pronouns

Date of Birth

Phone Number

Emergency Contact

If applicant is under the age of 18, please provide name of parent or guardian

Parent/Guardian Email

If applicant is under the age of 18, please provide parent/guardian email address

Secondary Phone Number

If applicant is under the age of 18, please provide phone parent/guardian phone number

Submission Elements

Applicants must include in their submission the following documentation:

At least three (3) original poems in any format including written, audio or video. If submitting audio or video, please include a written transcript of the poems.
Letter of intent including an outline of the vision for the Youth Poet Laureate position and at least three (3) sample ideas of projects that they would undertake as Youth Poet Laureate.
Résumé outlining their community engagement experience related to school, work and/or volunteering.

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Conduct

The Youth Poet Laureate must demonstrate commitment to City of Nanaimo Policy C4.2 Equity and Inclusivity:

“Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates resources and opportunities to support more positive outcomes for all regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, faith practice, ancestry, or background. By identifying inequities and targeting investment in prevention and intervention, the wellbeing and inclusion of the diversity of people that make up our entire community can be enhanced, creating a city that puts people first and supports a sense of belonging.”

The Youth Poet Laureate will contribute to a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where all people feel safe, comfortable and represented (Policy C4.2.1); Encourage diversity awareness and build a culture of compassion for people of all cultures, genders, orientations, ages and abilities (Policy C4.2.8).

Intellectual Property

All writing, notes and original materials produced during the Youth Poet Laureate’s tenure will remain the property of the Youth Poet Laureate.

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.

Questions?

Questions regarding the Youth Poet Laureate Program may be directed to Culture & Events at cultureandevents@nanaimo.ca, ATTN: Youth Poet Laureate Program or 250-755-4483.

Office/Dropbox Location:

ATTN: Youth Poet Laureate Program

Bowen Complex, 500 Bowen Road,

Nanaimo, BC

Mailing Address:

ATTN: Youth Poet Laureate Program

Culture & Events

455 Wallace Street,

Nanaimo BC, V9R 5J6

Last updated: July 15, 2025

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