Dec. 18, 2025
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Updated Dec. 19, 2025 at 11:35 a.m. CST
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The story of a city is told in everyday moments, in words, conversations and memories that linger.
Dallas is seeking guides to help define the city’s voice, with applications now open through Dec. 31 for the next poet laureate and the youth poet laureate program.
The honor recognizes local writers and gives them a platform to encourage creative writing and literacy in the community.
The adult winner serves a two-year term, from April 2026 to March 2028, during which the poet laureate will appear at community events and schools. The laureate, who receives a $20,000 honorarium, also hosts literary workshops and produces two annual reports.
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At the end of the term, the poet’s works will be published by Deep Vellum, an independent literary press.
The current poet laureate is Mag Gabbert, a clinical assistant professor at Southern Methodist University. The current youth poet laureate is Naisha Randhar.
The youth poet laureate program, which provides a $1,000 scholarship, aims to amplify the voices of young poets and encourage civic engagement through writing.
The Dallas Public Library runs the programs, and the winners will be announced in the spring.
Applications are submitted electronically through the library website.
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