This free poetry workshop can help teens apply to become the next Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County

Photos courtesy of City of Asylum. 

Calling all teens who are passionate about writing and about making their community a better place. City of Asylum has opened up the application period for teens (13-18) who would like to be considered for the role of Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County.

Now through Sept. 30, applications can be submitted right here.

And to help anyone who might be interested in applying (and even those who live outside Allegheny County and just want to learn more about poetry), City of Asylum is hosting a free poetry workshop this Saturday, Aug. 24, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at their Northside headquarters, Alphabet City. You can register here for a free ticket.

The workshop will be led by Gaia Rajan, author of poetry collection “Killing It” and undergraduate student at Carnegie Mellon University. After some poetry practice and discussion guided by Gaia, the students can ask questions and get assistance with their applications from Youth Poet Laureate coordinator Alexis Jabour.

Teens can apply to the Youth Poet Laureate program without attending the workshop. And they’re welcome to get started on their applications ahead of the Saturday event. But for those who can make it, the workshop will be a chance to dive deep into the power of all kinds of poetry. (There’s also a great bookstore inside Alphabet City.)

You can learn more about the Youth Poet Laureate program right here. And click here and also here to read about past winners of this award.