VICTORIA, B.C. – The City of Victoria is inviting poets from across the Capital Regional District to apply to become the next poet laureate and youth poet laureate.
Each laureate position gives poets a platform to share their work and bring poetry into civic and community life through readings, events and creative projects.
Victoria’s poet laureate serves as a literary and cultural ambassador for the City, creating original work, participating in City and community events and leading an annual project or activity that engages the community in poetry and the literary arts.
The youth poet laureate offers emerging poets between the ages of 14 and 24 an opportunity to develop their craft, share their voice and engage the community, with mentorship from Victoria’s poet laureate.
Both are two-year appointments running from January 2027 to December 2028. The poet laureate receives an annual honorarium of $5,500, while the youth poet laureate receives an annual honorarium of $2,500. Each position also includes up to $2,000 per year for programming.
“Poetry connects people, sparks ideas and inspires conversation," said Mayor Marianne Alto. “Victoria’s poet laureate and youth poet laureate bring fresh perspectives and creative expression into civic and community life.”
Applications are open until Nov.19 at 11:59 p.m.
Learn more about the positions, eligibility requirements and how to apply at victoria.ca/poetlaureates.
The poet laureate program is funded by the City of Victoria with support from the Greater Victoria Public Library.