Artistic excellence
Poems with craft, voice and something to say.
Programs › Bergen County YPL
Bergen County
Youth Poet Laureate
A local chapter of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, an initiative of Urban Word.
About the program
A voice for young poets in Bergen County
Founded in 2025 by AIA co-founder Emily Tong, the Bergen County Youth Poet Laureate brings the National Youth Poet Laureate Program to our county.
The program celebrates young poets committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement and social impact, and gives them a platform to share their work with the community.
What we look for
Three things the program celebrates
Civic engagement
Young people who care about their communities.
Social impact
Writing that can move people and spark change.
How it works
The 2026–27 program, at a glance
- Who: poets aged 13–18 who attend a school in Bergen County.
- Partners: created with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program and Urban Word NY.
- Apply with: a 5-poem portfolio, a CV or resume, a photo, a signed agreement and an unofficial transcript.
- The ceremony: six finalists perform at a commencement ceremony in October, where the top three are announced.
- The title: the winner is named Bergen County Youth Poet Laureate for a year and advances to Urban Word’s regional and national competition.
- Cost: submissions are free.
Both promos here were designed by AIA members.
Apply
Are you a young poet in Bergen County?
See the application for eligibility and deadlines.