DCASE Homepage  >  Chicago Poet Laureate Program

The application for the next Chicago Poet Laureate is now open. For reference information, consult the 2025 Guidelines. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CT.

Join us for an information session to learn more about the application process.

Thursday, April 24, 2025 | Noon-1:00 p.m. | Zoom Webinar | Register online | This session will be recorded and posted online.

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. | In-Person at Poetry Fest | Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theater (Lower Level)

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to attend an information session, please contact CulturalResources@CityofChicago.org at least two (2) business days before the session for assistance.

This National Poetry Month, Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), the Chicago Public Library (CPL), and the Poetry Foundation are pleased to announce that the City of Chicago will select its next Poet Laureate for a two-year term beginning in 2026. Inaugural Poet Laureate, avery r. young’s term ends in December 2025.

DCASE, CPL, and the Poetry Foundation are Chicago’s preeminent presenters of cultural and literary programs. The Chicago Poet Laureate program, which they began in 2023, aims to increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists. The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.

The Chicago Poet Laureate is awarded an honorarium of $70,000 ($35,000/year) for the commissioning of new poems and for attendance at public events and presentations. In collaboration with DCASE and CPL, the Poet Laureate develops and implements a work plan for their time in the role, which includes a public program series. Additional programming monies are allocated to the Laureate upon approval of the work plan.

To be Poet Laureate, an applicant must:

• Be a current resident of the City of Chicago and remain a resident during the term of the laureateship.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be able to demonstrate at least ten (10) years of commitment and connection to Chicago’s literary community.
• Have at least four (4) published works and/or performances in established publications (print, online, poetry journals, magazines, websites, or video) over the past three (3) years that are not self-curated, personal websites, or personal blogs (not published in a vanity press).
• Have received critical acclaim as demonstrated by special honors, awards, and/or other recognition.
• Have a strong interest in serving the city and comfort with being a representative of the City of Chicago.
• Have strong communication skills and a history of working with people of all ages.
• Be able to develop and deliver public programming in collaboration with Chicago Public Library and DCASE.
• Be willing and able to travel between locations around Chicago.

Current City of Chicago employees and Poetry Foundation staff are not eligible to be Poet Laureate. Employees of sister agencies are eligible, but must comply with their own agency’s ethics policies.

(Subject to change)

Photos by Patrick L. Pyszka, City of Chicago.

avery r. young is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, 3Arts Awardee, poetry editor for Bridge, Cave Canem fellow, and co-director of the Floating Museum. His poetry and prose have been featured in The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop, Teaching Black, The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks, and AIMPrint, among other publications, and alongside images in photographer Cecil McDonald Jr’s, In The Company of Black. He is the composer and librettist for a new commissioned work from Lyric Opera of Chicago titled safronia, and full-length recording tubman. (FPE Records) is the soundtrack to his collection of poetry, neckbone: visual verses.

In the foreword of neckbone, Theaster Gates called young, “one of the most important thinkers on the Black experience.” His album booker t. soltreyne: a race rekkid (FPE Records) engages matters of race, gender, and sexuality in America during the Obama Era. young’s work in performance, visual text, and sound design has been featured in several exhibitions and theatre festivals—notably the Chicago Hip Hop Theatre Fest, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and the American Jazz Museum. In addition, he is one of four directors of the Floating Museum, a co-mentor for the Rebirth Youth Poetry Ensemble, and performs with his band, de deacon board.

With more than two decades of experience in the teaching artist field, young has led programs in and out of schools, community-based organizations, and other learning environments; he has also served as a teaching artist for the Arts and Public Life Artist-In-Residence at the University of Chicago. young’s work has been dedicated to helping youth overcome social and economic barriers to accessing Chicago’s artistic and cultural vitality.

Learn more at averyryoung.com.

Questions?

Email Amanda.Carlson@cityofchicago.org.

About the Partners

Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment, and knowledge through innovative services, programs, and technology. Through its 81 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits, and programs for children, teens, and adults. For more information, please call (312) 747-4300 or visit chipublib.org. To follow CPL on social media, visit CPL on Twitter (@chipublib), Facebook (Chicago Public Library), or Instagram (@chicagopubliclibrary).

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago.

The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. The Foundation works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and Poetry magazine at @PoetryMagazine on Twitter.