What Does it Mean to Express Yourself?

Paint, pencils, crayons and InDesign – use your favorite medium to design a book cover for the annual Express Yourself Youth Poetry Competition winners’ anthology.

Complete Rules for Entry

Artist Requirements: The Express Yourself Cover Art Contest is open to all artists in grade 2-12, who live in the City of Dallas or attend a school within Dallas city limits.

The Artwork Must Be Original: You must be the creator of the artwork that is submitted to the contest. Your art must be your own original concept and not a copy of anyone else's copyrighted material. If your image infringes upon another's copyright it will be disqualified.

Artist Requirements: 

• Any drawing or painting medium, including: pencil, watercolors, crayons, and      acrylics can be used. Non-reflective sturdy paper such as watercolor paper or card stock is preferred. Artwork should be on vertical (portrait orientation). Maximum size 11in x17in
• Any Graphic design software, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, or open source product, can be used. Your images are best represented at 1200px on the longest side and at a resolution of 72dpi. The acceptable file formats are: jpg or pdf.
• Artwork must be the artists own work and may not be submitted without artist’s consent.

Multiple Submissions: Only one submission per artist.

 Submission Deadline: Submissions accepted starting September 15, 2025. Artwork must be received or postmarked by January 31, 2026.

Entry Process: 

Art may also be submitted in person at any Dallas Public Library Location.

Submit by mail to:

Express Yourself! 

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 

1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201-5499

Submit online at: www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

Judging Criteria:

• Creativity
• Originality
• Quality
• All qualified art will be judged separately in the in the following grade categories: 2-5, 6-8, 9-12.

Finalists:

• All finalists will be notified by email by April 1, 2026.
• One overall winner will be selected to have their artwork appear on the cover of the 30th edition of the Express Yourself! Finalists’ Anthology.
• One winner per grade category will have their artwork appear on the back cover, for a total of three winners.
• Two finalists per grade category will have their artwork appear in the anthology, for a total of six honorable mentions.
• All finalists will be invited to an award ceremony on April 23, 2026.

All entries become the property of the Friends of Dallas Public Library and the Dallas Public Library. Dallas Public Library is granted permission to use the drawings at its discretion. For more information contact: libyouthservices@dallas.gov

¿Qué significa Expresarte?

Puntura, pinceles, creyones e InDesign; usa tu medio favorito para diseñar la portada del libro de compilación de los ganadores del Concurso Anual de Poesía Joven Exprésate

Reglas Completas de Participación

Requerimientos para Artistas: El Concurso de Arte de Portada Exprésate está abierto para todos los artistas de 2 a 12 grado que vivan en la Ciudad de Dallas o atiendan a una escuela en los límites de la ciudad Dallas.

El Arte Tiene que Ser Original: Tienes que ser el creador del arte que envíes al concurso. Tu arte tiene que tener un concepto original y no ser la copia de material perteneciente a otra persona. Si tu imagen infringe los derechos de autor de otra persona, será descalificada.

Requerimientos para Artistas:

• Se puede usar cualquier pintura o medio de pintura, incluyendo: lápiz, acuarelas, creyones y acrílicos. Es mejor usar papeles resistentes y opacos, como papel de acuarela o cartulina. La orientación del arte debe ser vertical (tipo retrato). Tamaño máximo: 11in x 17in
• Se puede usar cualquier software de diseño gráfico, incluyendo Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator o un producto de código abierto. Las imágenes se representan mejor a 1200px en el lado más largo y a una resolución de 72dpi. Los formatos de archivo aceptables son: jpg o pdf.
• Las obras de arte deben ser del propio artista y no pueden presentarse sin su consentimiento.

Envíos Múltiples: Sólo un envío por artista.

Plazo de Presentación: Las presentaciones se aceptan a partir del 15 de septiembre de 2025. Las obras deben recibirse antes del o llevar el sello postal con fecha anterior al 31 de enero de 2026.

Proceso de inscripción:

Las obras también se pueden presentar en persona en cualquier sede de la Biblioteca Pública de Dallas.

Envía la obra por correo a:

¡Expresarte!

Biblioteca Central J. Erik Jonsson,

1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201-5499

Envía la obra en línea a través de: www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

Criterios de evaluación:

• Creatividad
• Originalidad
• Calidad
• Todas las obras que califiquen serán evaluadas por separado en las siguientes categorías: de 2o a 5o grado, de 6o a 8o grado, de 9o a 12o grado.

Finalistas:

• Todos los finalistas serán notificados por correo electrónico antes del 1 de abril de 2026.
• Se seleccionará un ganador absoluto cuya obra aparecerá en la portada de la 30ª edición de ¡Exprésate! Antología de Finalistas.
• Se seleccionará un ganador por categoría de grado cuya obra aparecerá en la contraportada, para un total de tres ganadores.
• Dos finalistas por categoría cuyas obras aparecerán en la antología, lo que supone un total de seis menciones honoríficas.
• Todos los finalistas serán invitados a una ceremonia de entrega de premios el 23 de abril de 2026.

Todos los trabajos pasan a ser propiedad de Friends of Dallas Public Library (Amigos de la Biblioteca Pública de Dallas) y de la Biblioteca Pública de Dallas. La Biblioteca Pública de Dallas tiene permiso para utilizar las obras a su discreción. Para más información, póngase en contacto con: libyouthservices@dallas.gov

Interested in having a free poetry workshop with your class? 

Express Yourself! Poetry Workshops are designed to help no more than 30 students understand poetry and write poems for submission to the Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition. 

For more information about the Competition, go to dallaslibrary.org/poetry

To request a workshop, please fill out this form (items marked with a red asterisk * are required).

A Dallas Public Library staff member will reach out to you via e-mail about your request. Teaching artists are outside contractors and not employees of the City of Dallas.

Please read the following for more information regarding poetry workshops and/or assemblies:

• Scheduled between September 27, 2025- January 17, 2026. 
• Limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• May be scheduled by any school, public or private, in the City of Dallas as well as by afterschool programs/organizations for students in grades 2 through 12. 
• May be during the school day or afterschool/weekends. 
• Participating students must be eligible to submit to the Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition. 

For more information, call 214-670-7943 or email libyouthservices@dallas.gov.   

How Do You Express Yourself?

Submit your original poem to the 30th annual Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition. Finalists will be recognized at a ceremony during National Poetry Month in April and have their poems published in an anthology.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

• 60 finalists will be invited to an awards ceremony on April 23, 2026, and have their work published by the Dallas Public Library in a bound anthology.
• One finalist will be selected to receive the Joe M. and Doris Russell Dealey Foundation Award of Achievement and one winner will be selected for each of the following grade categories: 2-5, 6-8, 9-12.
• All qualified poems will be judged on originality and structure.
• All qualified poems will be judged separately in the following grade categories: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12.
• All finalists will be notified by email by April 1, 2026.

RULES ........ Please read carefully.

1. Poems must be the writer’s own work and may not be submitted without the poet’s knowledge and consent.
2. All poets must be in grades 2-12 and live in the City of Dallas or attend a school within Dallas city limits.
3. All entries must be received or postmarked (if mailed) by January 31, 2026. No entries will be returned.
4. Entries must not exceed 20 lines.
5. Only one entry per poet.
6. Poems accepted in English and in Spanish.
7. All entries become the property of The Friends of the Dallas Public Library & Dallas Public Library.
8. For complete rules, visit www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

Poems may also be dropped off at any Dallas Public Library location. Attach the completed entry form found at www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

For more information, contact: libyouthservices@dallascityhall.com

¿Cómo  participo en el concurso Express Yourself!?

Presenta tu poema original al 30º Concurso Anual de Poesía Juvenil Express Yourself! Concurso de Poesía Juvenil. Los finalistas serán reconocidos en una ceremonia durante el Mes Nacional de la Poesía en abril y sus poemas serán publicados en una antología.

SOBRE EL CONCURSO

• Serán invitados 60 finalistas a una ceremonia de premios el 23 de abril de 2026 y sus trabajos serán publicados por la Biblioteca Pública de Dallas en una antología encuadernada.
• Se seleccionará un finalista para recibir el premio Joe M. and Doris Russell Dealey Fund Award of Achievement y se seleccionará un ganador por cada una de las siguientes categorías: de 2o a 5o grado, de 6o a 8o grado, y de 9o a 12o grado.
• Todos los poemas calificados serán juzgados por su originalidad y estructura.
• Todos los poemas calificados serán juzgados por separado en las siguientes categorías: de 2o a 3o, de 4o a 5o, de 6o a 7o, de 8o a 9o y de 10o a 12o.
• Todos los finalistas serán notificados por correo electrónico antes del 1 de april de 2025.

REGLAS ........ Por favor, lea atentamente.

1. Los poemas deben ser obra del propio escritor y no pueden ser presentados sin el conocimiento y consentimiento del poeta.
2. Todos los poetas deben estudiar entre 2o y 12o grado y vivir en la ciudad de Dallas o asistir a una escuela dentro de los límites de la ciudad de Dallas.
3. Todos los trabajos deben recibirse antes de o llevar el sello postal (si se envían por correo) con fecha anterior al 31 de enero de 2026. No se devolverán las inscripciones.
4. Las inscripciones no deben exceder las 20 líneas.
5. Sólo una participación por poeta.
6. Se aceptan poemas en inglés y en español.
7. Todos los trabajos pasan a ser propiedad de The Friends of the Dallas Public Library & Dallas Public Library.
8. Para ver las reglas completas, visite www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

Los poemas también pueden entregarse en cualquier sede de la Biblioteca Pública de Dallas. Adjunte el formulario de inscripción completo que se encuentra en www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry

Para más información, póngase en contacto con: libyouthservices@dallascityhall.com

Being the Dallas Poet Laureate is an incredible opportunity to share literary arts with your city, and it is also a big responsibility. Read about position expectations here, before you apply.
 

Criteria for Nomination and Selection:  

• A living or working presence within the city of Dallas. 
• Valid addresses are based on the applicant's physical residence or employment place, not on a P.O. Box or other property owned by the applicant. Proof of address is required.  
• Applicant must have retained Dallas residency, living or working, for at least one year prior to the application deadline. 
• At least 10 published works (print, online, poetry journals, magazines, websites, or video) over the past five years. 
• Have a strong interest in serving the city with an interest in community outreach service and/or volunteering. 
• Strong customer service and communication skills. 
• Must be at least 21 years of age. 
• Must be able to work at least 10 hours a month at a DPL location or Dallas Cultural Center which could include outside events at other locations. 
• Though 10 hours is the requirement, the residing poet laureate is likely to be requested to work closer to 25+ hours a month. 
• The Laureate’s main office will be at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, but they are welcome to office at other public city locations to gain inspiration, insight into the community and nurture their creative spark while engaging the community. 
• Must be able to travel between locations around the city of Dallas.
  

Application Requirements:  

• A statement of two or three paragraphs detailing why the applicant would be a good choice for the Dallas Poet Laureate Program (Prepared and submitted electronically through our website at www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry) 
• A proposal for a program that promotes the literary arts within the community, that engage and include communities of diverse backgrounds across the city, not to exceed one page   
• A writing sample of 4-10 pages in length consisting of select poems or other literary works OR a spoken word video
• Résumé or curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages (showcasing publication history, experience in public speaking, teaching and/or public performances of community outreach service and/or volunteering) 
• Brief biography, not to exceed one page 
• Completed application submitted via the online submission form (NOTE: All submissions must be complete and fulfill all requirements. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.) 

Timeline:

• Applications available June 2, 2025 
• Application deadline December 15, 2025 
• OAC and DPL review submissions January 2026
• Notification to all nominees By February 15, 2026 
• Interviews February-March 2026
• OAC and DPL approves new poet laureate March 2026
• Commission and council presentation of poet laureate April 2026
• Year 1 April 2026 – March 2027
• Year 2 April 2027 – March 2028

Honorarium:

The Dallas Poet Laureate will receive a total honorarium of $20,000 over a two-year term to be awarded in the following manner: 

      • $5,000 upon term approval 

      • $10,000 in April 2027, upon receipt of the Poet Laureate’s Annual Report. This signifies the beginning of the second annual term.  

      • $5,000 in March 2028, upon receipt of the Poet Laureate’s Final Report. This signifies the end of the contracted term.

More details and program guidelines

The Youth Poet Laureate is designed to encourage and support the literary talent of young people pursuing creative endeavors and to provide a platform for a youth voice in Dallas.

The Youth Poet Laureate is a one-year term, announced at the Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition Award Ceremony in April. The Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The Poet Laureate’s work and photo will be on display in all Dallas Public Library locations during the term.

Youth Poet Laureate duties will include:

· film a promotional video for the Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition to inspire students to submit their original creative works to the contest

· provide a public reading of their poetry at a minimum of one speaking engagement between May and August

· attend the next Express Yourself! Award Ceremony (in-person or virtually if out-of-town)

Other opportunities include (depending on availability):

· speaking to elementary classes about poetry and the Express Yourself! competition September to January

· public engagements as requested

· work with the Dallas Poet Laureate to develop programs and initiative to engage youth in poetry

· receive mentoring from the Dallas Poet Laureate on their own creative works

All Youth Poet Laureates must:

· reside within the City of Dallas or attend a school within the city limits.

· attain the age of 15  by May 1 in the term year but no older than 20 

· complete the online application including:

o five original poems; one poem must be based on the theme of Dallas - living in Dallas, issues affecting Dallas, Dallas history, etc.

o contact information for an adult reference who can speak to the applicant’s suitability to be poet laureate (non-family person, for example, a teacher, coach, employer, neighbor, etc.)

o biography including extracurricular activities, published works, academic and other achievements

o statement of why they should be the Youth Poet Laureate

o description of what community service organizations or events they have participated in the City of Dallas 

For more information email libyouthservices@dallas.gov

El programa Poeta Laureado Juvenil está diseñado para fomentar y apoyar el talento literario de los jóvenes que persigan iniciativas creativas y proporcionará una plataforma donde tendrán cabida las voces juveniles de Dallas.

El Poeta Laureado Juvenil ostentará el título por un año y será nombrado en la ceremonia de entrega de premios del Concurso de Poesía Juvenil Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition en abril. El Poeta Joven Laureado recibirá una beca de 1,000 dólares.  La obra y la foto del Poeta Laureado se expondrán en todas las ubicaciones de la Dallas Public Library durante su término.

Las funciones del Poeta Laureado Juvenil incluirán:

• filmar un vídeo promocional para el Concurso de Poesía      para Jóvenes Express Yourself! para inspirar a los estudiantes a presentar      sus obras creativas originales al concurso
• realizar una lectura pública de sus poemas al menos una      vez entre mayo y agosto
• asistir a la próxima ceremonia de entrega de premios      Express Yourself! en persona o virtualmente si está fuera de la ciudad)

Otras actividades podrían ser (dependiendo de la disponibilidad):

• hablar en clases de primaria sobre la poesía y el      concurso Express Yourself! Entre septiembre y enero
• compromisos públicos según se solicite 
• trabajar con el Poeta Laureado de Dallas para      desarrollar programas e iniciativas para involucrar a los jóvenes en la      poesía 
• recibir asesoramiento del Youth Poet Laureate de Dallas      sobre sus propias obras creativas

Todos los jóvenes poetas laureados deben:

• residir en la ciudad de Dallas o asistir a una escuela      dentro de los límites de la ciudad 
• alcanzar la edad de 15 años antes del 1 de mayo en      curso, pero no ser mayor de 20

Completar la solicitud en línea incluyendo: 

• cinco poemas originales - un poema debe estar basado       en el tema de Dallas: el vivir en Dallas, los problemas que afectan a       Dallas, y la historia de Dallas, etc.
• información de contacto de un adulto de referencia que       pueda hablar de la idoneidad del solicitante para ser poeta laureado       (persona no familiar, por ejemplo, un profesor, entrenador, empleador,       vecino, etc.) 
• Una biografía que incluya las actividades       extracurriculares, las obras publicadas y los logros académicos y de otro       tipo
• Afirmaciones con los motivos para ser un concursante       de The Youth Poet Laureate
• Descripción de qué organizaciones de servicio       comunitario o eventos han participado en la Ciudad de Dallas

Para más información, envíe un correo electrónico a libyouthservices@dallascityhall.com