Poet Wanted: The Washington State Poet Laureate Returns!

2012-14 Washington State Poet Laureate: A call for applications

The Washington State Arts Commission and Humanities Washington seek applications for the 2012-14 Washington State Poet Laureate.

In April 2007, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that recognized the value of poetry to the culture and heritage of the state by establishing the Washington State Poet Laureate. The legislation is the result of a collaboration between the Washington State Arts Commission, Humanities Washington, the Washington Poets Association, poets and poetry lovers from across the state and key legislators. Soon after signing the bill into law, Governor Gregoire named Samuel Green to serve as Washington’s first Poet Laureate, from 2007 to 2009. Washington joins several other states in appointing an official state poet laureate position. Poetry is recognized at the national level as well: The Librarian of Congress annually appoints the U.S. Poet Laureate.

Role of the Poet Laureate:
The Washington State Poet Laureate serves to build awareness and appreciation of poetry — including the state’s legacy of poetry — through public readings, workshops, lectures and presentations in communities, schools, colleges/universities and other public settings in geographically diverse areas of the state. The selected Poet Laureate will develop a two-year plan of activities, in consultation with the Washington State Arts Commission and Humanities Washington. For an overview of the activities performed by Poet Laureate Samuel Green (2007-09), see below.

For more information, click here.