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.
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