Creating Poets Laureate Positions in States, Cities, U.S. Territories, and Tribal Nations

The number of poets laureate positions in states, cities, U.S. Territories, and Tribal nations continues to increase. For those interested in establishing similar positions in your communities, we've assembled the following overview of how two of these civic positions and appointments are generally created.  

 

All but five states (New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico) in the United States have established poet laureate positions. These positions are an important way to honor a poet and recognize the place that poetry has in a state’s cultural tradition and civic life. The poet serving in these roles is an ambassador of the art form, literature, literacy, and storytelling. Additionally, many cities, large and small, now honor a poet in their community with the title of Poet Laureate. Similar to State Poets Laureate, these poets are important champions of the art form in their community and work to inspire the next generation of poets and their readers. Of the thirty-five U. S. cities with populations of 500,000 residents or more, there are sixteen with city poets laureate. To see a list of current state and city poets laureate, visit Poetry Near You and click on the states menu to the right of the page.

 

 

The state poet laureate position is an honorary position typically created by a bill passed by the state’s legislature that designates the State Arts or Humanities Council to recommend nominees for the state poet laureate position, and the Governor the authority to appoint a citizen of the State as State Poet Laureate. The State Poet Laureate celebrates the state’s cultural heritage and promotes literacy and literature among state residents. 

 

Oversight: The State Arts and/or Humanities Council typically coordinates the State Poet Laureate program. To assist, it may establish a State Poet Laureate Commission or Committee comprised of volunteers who are state residents and noted poets, professors of poetry and literature, librarians, and other leaders of cultural institutions. This Commission or Committee typically reviews the nominations process, requirements and qualifications of the candidates and provides input to the State Arts or Humanities Council on these matters; vets nominations; and members may participate in interviewing finalists. The State Arts or Humanities Council is ultimately responsible for forwarding final recommendations to the Governor. 

 

Appointment: The Governor appoints the State Poet Laureate. 

 

Nominations: Poets typically can nominate themselves or be nominated by other residents of the state through an online application made available by the State Arts or Humanities Council. The application form will include contact information for the poet (mailing address, phone number, and email address) and the nominator (if the nominator is not the poet). 

 

 

Application: Poets must submit:

 

Length of term: typically two years, renewable for an additional two years. 

 

 

Typical Honorarium: $2,500 - $10,000

 

Recognition: In addition to appointment by the Governor, the State Poet Laureate will be featured on the website of the State Arts or Humanities Council. 

 

May 1— Call for Nominations

July 1— Deadline for nominations to be received by the Arts and/or Humanities Council

August— State Poet Laureate Committee meets to select finalists

September— Semi-Finalist interviews

October 1— State Poet Laureate recommendations submitted to the Governor

December— Governor selects State Poet Laureate

January— State Poet Laureate notified and public announcement planned

 

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=200120020AB113

http://oac.ohio.gov/poetlaureate

http://www.cac.ca.gov/initiatives/pl.php

http://gaarts.org/programs/literary-arts/poet-laureate

https://azarts.gov/programs/arizona-poet-laureate/

https://heritage.utah.gov/arts-and-museums/poet-laureate

http://www.wisconsinpoetlaureate.org/application-information

https://www.humanitieskansas.org/grants-programs/poet-laureate

 

• poet must live in the city, and have lived in the city for no less than one year, and continue to live in the city throughout the appointment
• poet must have significant publication history including books (excluding self-published and vanity presses), and in a variety of journals and media; have received recognition in the field, and demonstrate literary excellence
• poet must have demonstrated a previous commitment to promoting awareness of poetry 
• poet must be 18 years of age and older

• read poems at ceremonial events (examples could include at the unveiling of a new building or bridge that will benefit the community), at City Council or other public meetings.
• champion the art of poetry and the spoken word in the city in person and on social media
• encourage appreciation of the art form and creative expression by a wide-range of city residents, including youth
• celebrate the city’s cultural heritage
• attend literary and other cultural events in the city as appropriate
• give 5-10 public readings and workshops that are free and open to the public, including visits to schools and/or events for young people
• provide updates as requested