BUDDING bards and wonderful writers across the county are being urged to put themselves forward to be Worcestershire’s next Young Poet Laureate.
Worcestershire Libraries, Severn Arts and Public Health Worcestershire, are on the lookout for young writers, aged 10 to 18, who are ready to get creative and become the voice of the county community.
Amelie Simon, is the current Young Poet Laureate 2023. She said winning the competition has helped her confidence grow.
“I never could have dreamt of getting up on a stage to read my own poetry, but I’ve discovered that the stage offers me a place to be authentically me and to have a great time doing it.
“I’ve met some of the most incredible people and found so much comfort in the art form.”
Young people, living or studying in Worcestershire, can enter the competition by submitting one poem on the theme of ‘Change’.
So how will the contest work?
Entries for the competition – open to school years six to 13 – can be submitted as written pieces, audio recordings or videos.
Submissions will be judged across three age categories – school years six to eight, nine to 11 and 12 and 13.
All finalists will be asked to perform at the Young Poet Laureate final at The Hive in Worcester, where a winner will be chosen from each age category.
Of these three winners, one young person will be awarded the title of Young Poet Laureate 2024.
Previous Young Poet Laureates have had their work published, performed live, been interviewed by local radio and commissioned to write more poetry.
Jen Loffman, Community Producer at Severn Arts said: “This year we really want to celebrate poetry in all its forms and would love to hear from songwriters, rappers and spoken word artists as well as poetry writers.”
“We really hope this year’s theme will inspire lots of young people to share what they have created with us through the competition.”
Dr Lisa McNally, Director of Public Health for Worcestershire County Council, said: “Expressing yourself through art, like poetry, can really boost people’s wellbeing.
“The Young Poet Laureate competition is a great opportunity for young people to unleash their creativity, build their confidence, and make new friendships.”
Coun Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities, added the contest provided young people with an exciting opportunity to become immersed in poetry reading, writing, and performance.
“Over the years, Laureates have championed poetry as an art form and embraced the variety of projects given to them.
“We are really looking forward to hearing what our young people will come up with this year on the theme of ‘Change’.”
Visit severnarts.org.uk/ypl24 for more information and to apply.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on April 1 and the final will be held at The Hive on April 28.
