The Stratford Poet Laureate program celebrates poetry and our local poets year-round through events, contests, and more!
Call For Submissions - Youth Poet Laureate
Youth Poet Laureate Position Information
The Youth Poet Laureate position will serve to honour a youth poet (aged 14 to 24 years), who writes excellent poetry and focuses on themes that are relevant to youth who live in Stratford and area. This poet will provide a strong youth voice and will reach out to other youth to inspire interest in poetry and the arts – particularly the literary arts. As an ambassador for youth, poetry, language and the arts, the Youth Poet Laureate will be invited to attend events to share works and increase engagement of youth with the arts. The term for the Youth Poet Laureate is one year.
Eligibility Requirements
Youth Poet Laureate must:
- Be nominated or self-nominate (apply) to serve in the role.
- Meet the age requirements as outlined.
- Have a defined connection to Stratford and area.
- Be a poet, spoken word artist, or storyteller with an established or developing body of work.
- Have a keen interest in poetry or storytelling and the literary and performing arts.
- Be able to be an ambassador for literacy, poetry, storytelling, writers, spoken word artists, and the literary and performing arts.
- Be willing to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the positions as outlined.
Nomination/Application Process
All candidates must complete the Youth Poet Laureate Program Submission Form below. Paper forms are available upon request.
Applications close on January 31, 2026
| Quinn Mayer: "I am so honoured to have been Stratford’s first-ever Youth Poet Laureate. I am so thankful to have been involved in such a wonderful program, and to help shape it for my successors going forward. As Youth Poet Laureate, I’ve had chances to share my love for the literary arts (and music!) through performances and workshops. And I could not be more thankful for the mentorship and support of David Stones, Stratford’s inaugural Poet Laureate. I have learned so much over the past year… about poetry, about myself, and about the Stratford community. It’s been a pleasure to serve as Youth Poet Laureate, and I’m so excited to see where this program goes in the future." |
The Stratford Poet Laureate Program
This program aims to celebrate and elevate the literary arts through written and spoken word.
The program will collect, save, and share unique stories from Stratford and the surrounding area. These stories reflect our community's character, both now and for years to come.
The Poet Laureate writes poetry about the area, composes poems for special events, participates in public performances, works with local poets and writers, and acts as a literary ambassador for the city and the region. The work of the Poet Laureate culminates with the creation of a legacy project which is a unique and lasting contribution to the community.
This inaugural Stratford Poet Laureate program is a three-year pilot project (January 2025 to December 2027) by Destination Stratford and Stratford Public Library, and is formally recognized by City of Stratford Council via the Community Services department.
| David Stones, Poet Laureate 2025-2028David Stones is a multi-award winning, multi-Pushcart Prize-nominated poet and performer with 500+ poems in print throughout Canada and internationally, and a growing roster of stage shows featuring his poetry, lyrics and musical adaptations of his work. He is a proud member of League of Canadian Poets, The Canadian Poets Society, New Generation Beat Poets Scene Canada, and Poetry Stratford. Sign out his published works here. |
| Quinn Mayer, Youth Poet Laureate 2025-2026The Youth Poet Laureate is a resident poet, storyteller or spoken word artist between the ages of 14-24 who has an interest in bringing their work to a wider audience. The role of the Youth Poet Laureate is to serve as a literary ambassador for youth in Stratford and area. Through their tenure in this position, the Youth poet Laureate will seek to inspire and engage local youth to share their stories through written and spoken word.
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Press & Publications
- Youth poet laureate hopes to use program to inspire young writers | March 31, Beacon Herald
- Stones ready to shine a light as city's new poet laureate | February 24, Stratford Today
- City's first-ever Poet Laureate, Youth Poet Laureate announced | February 20, Stratford Today
- Essays of Light: Poems by David Stones
- Sfumato: New and Selected Poems by David Stones
- Infinite Sequels by David Stones
Contact Us
For more information contact poetry@splibrary.ca