Young People’s Laureate
For London

SPREAD THE WORD’S YOUNG PEOPLE’S LAUREATE FOR LONDON, CECILIA KNAPP GIVES LONDON’S YOUNG PEOPLE A VOICE THROUGH POETRY. 

The Young People’s Laureate’s mission is to:

• Raise the visibility of poetry in the capital, nationally and internationally;

• Engage and inspire London’s young people with poetry through the issues that affect them;

• Support the development of London’s talented young poets in a tangible way.

Each year an esteemed judging panel selects a poet to become the Young People’s Laureate for London. On National Poetry Day, 1 October 2020, Cecilia Knapp was announced as the new Young People’s Laureate for London.

Caleb Femi was the first Young People’s Laureate 2016-18. Momtaza Mehri was the Young People’s Laureate 2018-19. Theresa Lola was the Young People’s Laureate for London 2019-2020. Previously, Spread the Word ran the Young Poet Laureate scheme, a role which was held by Selina Nwulu, Aisling Fahey and Warsan Shire.

Helping young people have their voices heard at a time of uncertainty and upheaval is Cecilia’s mission. Over the next year, Cecilia will undertake placements on four youth-focused residencies across the capital as well as receiving a range of mentoring and poetry-development opportunities to enhance her own career progression.

The programme is funded by Arts Council England and supported by a wide range of partners.

You can keep up to date with what the Young People’s Laureate for London is doing here, or through social media #YoungPeoplesLaureate

If you’d like to book the Laureate for a residency, event or commission, please email laureate@spreadtheword.org.uk