Queens Extends Deadline In Search For Next Poet Laureate

QUEENS, NY — Queens-based poets have extra time to apply to become the borough's next poet laureate.

The application deadline has been extended to Sept. 20, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz announced Tuesday. Applications opened on April 29 with an original deadline of May 31.

The Queens poet laureate — a prestigious, but unpaid, position — promotes an appreciation for poetry with outreach events like readings at public schools or community centers throughout the borough. Each poet laureate serves a three-year term.

It is open to published poets who have lived in Queens for at least the past two years.

"Queens seeks a poet laureate capable of crafting thought-provoking poetry that addresses universal themes and shows an abiding affection for our diverse borough," Katz said in a statement.

The judges selecting the winning applicant are outgoing Queens Poet Laureate Maria Lisella (2015-2018), former Queens Poet Laureate Paolo Javier (2010-2014), Walt Whitman Award-winning poet Nicole Cooley, NYC Youth Poet Laureate Camryn Bruno and Alice Quinn, executive director of the Poetry Society of America and an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Graduate School of the Arts.

Applicants should submit a writing sample of up to ten pages of their poetry, an essay of up to 500 words on why the applicant wants to be the next Queens Poet Laureate, and a one to two-page resume focused on their poetry-related work.

To apply or get more information, visit queensbp.org/poet-laureate.