Purpose of the Bill

The bill's purpose is to support the literary arts and cultural heritage by establishing a Youth Poet Laureate program in Minnesota. This initiative is designed to recognize and celebrate young writers and their contributions to the state's cultural landscape.

Main Provisions

• Funding: The bill allocates $100,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 from the arts and cultural heritage fund specifically for this program.
• Program Administration: The Minnesota Humanities Center is tasked with directing these funds to a nonprofit organization that will manage the program.
• Youth Poet Laureate Selection: A competitive process will be established, modeled after the National Youth Poet Laureate program, to select a Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate. This selection will focus on young individuals aged 13 to 19.
• Program Objectives: The program aims to provide opportunities that promote the work of the Youth Poet Laureate and encourage the writing talents of young Minnesotans.

Relevant Terms

arts and cultural heritage, Minnesota Youth Poet Laureate, Minnesota Humanities Center, nonprofit organization, literary arts, youth writers