The Howard County Youth Poet Laureate program is an honorary initiative jointly presented by the Howard County Arts Council, the Office of the County Executive Calvin Ball, and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo). The program is designed to uplift the voices of young poets in Howard County, Maryland, and promote the literary arts throughout the community. It encourages youth expression through poetry and recognizes a young individual with a passion for literature, community engagement, and public performance.

The individual selected as the Youth Poet Laureate is formally appointed by the Howard County Executive and serves as an ambassador for literacy, the arts, and youth voices. During their one-year term from August through June, the laureate is expected to participate in community and civic events, giving public readings and engaging with audiences through poetry. The goal of the program is to amplify the power of youth expression while celebrating community identity and the role of the arts in civic life.

In addition to the honorary title, the Youth Poet Laureate receives a total honorarium of $500. This amount is disbursed in two equal installments of $250. The first installment is awarded in September, shortly after the laureate is announced, and the second installment is paid at the conclusion of the term in June. The program is administered by the Howard County Arts Council in partnership with HoCoPoLitSo.

The application cycle for the Youth Poet Laureate follows a yearly calendar. Applications open in January and are due in April. The review process takes place in June and July, followed by notification of the award recipient in August. The laureate is then formally announced in September, and the term officially begins with the first award disbursement.

Applicants and interested parties are encouraged to consult the FY26 program guidelines for full details on eligibility and application components. For questions, the Howard County Arts Council can be contacted via email at grantsandprojects@hocoarts.org or by phone at (410) 313-2787, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Arts Council is located at 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043.