Free Poetry Workshop

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Peter Galindo in News

Peter Galindo
Chronicle Reporter

April is National Poetry Month, and Urban Word Los Angeles  is recognizing poets, rappers, spoken word artists, leaders and activists  from ages 14-19. They  are currently holding workshops led by professional poets and performers at the Durant Public Library from Mar. 17 through Apr. 14 on every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

The National Poet Laureate is an honorary position given by the Library of Congress that according to them represents “the nation’s official lightning rod for poetic impulse of Americans.” Last year, the city of Los Angeles instituted the Los Angeles Youth Laureate program which “aimed to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, poetry and performance, human relations as well as diversity and social justice.”

The objective of these workshops is to get students’ portfolios ready to apply for the 2015 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate.

There will be 12 finalists selected to receive the title of Los Angeles Poet Ambassador, and these finalists will perform their art at the Mark Taper Forum in June. One of the 12 will then be selected to be the 2015 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate. This person will receive a book deal from Penmanship books, conduct a reading tour, as well as make special appearances throughout LA County for one year.

For students applying to be the 2015 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate, the portfolio should include 3-5 poems and a resume that includes school activities and accomplishments, community or volunteer work and personal accomplishments. Urban Words has geared this competition toward students who are engaged in “civic and community engagement, activism, diversity and issues that matter to you.”

For more information on this program go to the Los Angeles Public Library event page.