The Youth Poetry Festival at NYC PoFest

Join us for the Youth Poetry Festival, a standout event of NYC PoFest that brings together toddlers, teenagers, and everyone in between! We're excited to partner with the Teachers & Writers Collaborative (T&W) to celebrate the imagination through transformative writing and arts education for youth and lifelong learners.

Date: Saturday and Sunday

Drop-in Activities:

• Poetry Games and Activities: Dive into the reading nook, contribute to the 100-Foot Poem, discover the Mystery Poetry Box, and more. Enjoy interactive poetry games with giveaways and prizes.

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.

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. They publish Teachers & Writers Magazine and a variety of books for educators to support creative writing teaching.

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!

Reserve your spot today and join us for a weekend of creative exploration and fun!

Host or Publisher The Poetry Society of New York