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Your Poetry Could be on a Sidewalk
The City of Appleton launched the Sidewalk Poetry Program in 2014. Since then, Appleton residents and Appleton Area School District students have contributed over 50 original poems, transforming our city’s sidewalks into an open book of poetry.
New poems are stamped each spring as part of the Department of Public Work’s sidewalk replacement program. Visit the City of Appleton’s webpage for a complete map of all current poem locations.
Submit Your Poem!
We invite residents of the City of Appleton and students from the Appleton Area School District to submit their original poetry. A team of poetry experts and enthusiasts will review submissions to curate a variety of styles and subject matter. A final selection of up to five poems will be stamped throughout the city.
In addition to the stamped poem, we’ll feature selected poems on our website. Poets will have the opportunity to read their poems at an Appleton Common Council meeting and receive the poem stamp.
Open submission period: December 23, 2025 – January 23, 2026
Submission Guidelines
- Residents of the City of Appleton of any age and Appleton Area School District students are eligible to submit their original poetry. Please submit your work by filling out the form below.
- Poems can be previously published or unpublished, as long as it’s original work by the entrant.
- Applicants may submit one poem per year.
- Subject matter must be appropriate for the public.
- Poems must fit within a maximum of 10 lines (including title) with 35 characters per line including spaces and 225 characters overall including spaces.
- Poems must be submitted by Friday, January 23, 2026.
Questions? Please contact Peter by selecting “Contact the Adult Services Staff” on our general contact form.