Welcome to the Youth Poetry Festival, a highlight of NYC PoFest that brings together toddlers, teenagers, and everyone in between. We are thrilled to partner with the Teachers & Writers Collaborative (T&W) to celebrate the imagination through transformative writing and arts education for youth and lifelong learners.
About Teachers & Writers Collaborative
Teachers & Writers Collaborative (T&W) inspires classroom innovation and promotes greater equity through the literary arts. Their programs include writing workshops for youth, art workshops for seniors, and training for teachers. T&W also hosts the NY Poetry Out Loud recitation competition and the NY Youth Poet Laureate program for teens in New York State. To support the teaching of creative writing, they publish Teachers & Writers Magazine and a variety of books for educators.
Festival Highlights
Join us at the Youth Poetry Festival for an adventure to Couplet Cove! T&W invites youth and the young at heart to engage in poetry games and activities throughout the weekend. Activities include:
Drop-in Activities (Saturday and Sunday)
Poetry Games and Activities: Explore the reading nook, contribute to the 100-Foot Poem, discover the Mystery Poetry Box, and enjoy many more interactive poetry games. There will be giveaways and prizes for participants.
Scheduled Events
Saturday 1-2pm
Poetry Games with Nkosi Nkululeko
Join chess player and poet Nkosi Nkululeko for engaging poetry games designed to ignite your creativity.
Saturday 2:30-3:00pm
Youth Poetry Reading at the Brinkley Stage
Featured readers include:
Syeda Ahmed
Vernon Demir
Janet Omoruyi
Adelaide Sendlenski
Zoey Marcus, 2024 NY State Poetry Out Loud Runner-up
Emily Wang, 2024 NY State Poetry Out Loud Champion
OlaRose Ndubuisi, 2024 NY State Youth Poet Laureate
Sunday 1-2pm
Poetry-Origami with Sato Yamamoto
Join award-winning print and paper artist Sato Yamamoto for an origami lesson where you can hide your poems in secret folds or give them wings to fly.
Important Information
The Poetry Society of New York is committed to empowering young voices and creating inclusive programming for all ages. Please be aware that participants may encounter potentially triggering and/or graphic content when engaging with the larger festival space. We emphasize the importance of content warnings and strive to create a safe, age-friendly atmosphere. However, there is a possibility that children may encounter more explicit poetry and performances. This community gathering aims to uplift all voices and experiences, and we ask for your understanding and support in maintaining a respectful environment for everyone.
Thank you for being a part of the Youth Poetry Festival and for your continued support. Let's celebrate the power of poetry together!
