Did you know that the City of Victoria is the first city in Canada to have a Youth Poet Laureate? Aysia Law, a current UVic creative writing student, was chosen in January 2013 to represent Victoria. She was active in the community, performing at Pop-Up Poetry events in April to celebrate National Poetry Month, and at council meetings and Culture Days events, as well as organizing a Diversity Slam this past summer.
Photo: City of Victoria
Now, the hunt is on for her replacement.
To be considered for the position, youth must be under 21. Applicants can submit three poems in any format, a resumé outlining their community engagement experience, and 3 ideas for projects that they would be interested in taking on as Victoria’s Youth Poet Laureate. Applications will be accepted electronically from Nov. 10th – Nov.25th and can be sent to: youthpoetlaureate@cvyc.net
Youth Poetry mentor Jeremy Loveday is a member of the Victoria Poetry Project who actively partnered with the City of Victoria and the Victoria Foundation to make the Youth Poet Laureate position a reality. “Our first year was a great success. Our first Youth Poet Laureate added a vital youth voice to the City of Victoria, and I’m excited to see how our new Youth Poet Laureate runs with the position”.
Kluane Buser-Rivet co-ordinates the City of Victoria Youth Council. She says that “the youth poet laureate program allows a poetic window into the youth experience and a way for youth to be engaged in the community through the arts”
“The first Youth Poet Laureate position was a huge success measured by increased youth involvement in poetry and literary events overall. As a city, all pockets of the community benefit from the youth voice and all voices of diversity”, states Janet Rogers, Victoria Poet Laureate.
Please share this information with all the young people you know. Their voices deserve to be heard.
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