CALL FOR APPLICATIONS & NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025-2026-2027 (now a 3-year term) WISCONSIN POET LAUREATE
***Applications are now CLOSED***
The Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission, in partnership with the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, seeks applications for the 2025-2027 (now a 3-year term) Wisconsin Poet Laureate. Beginning September 3, 2024, applications are welcome from individual poets who are seeking the position. Applications may also be submitted by a person who is nominating a poet for the position of Poet Laureate. For either, a complete application package must be sent to the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission (wisconsinpoetlaureatecomm@gmail.com) as one email attachment no later than October 15, 2024.
Purpose of the Position
The Poet Laureate plays a crucial role in keeping the arts accessible and vital to all age groups, and acts as a statewide emissary for poetry and creativity. The Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission embraces the diversity of human experience, identity, and literary aesthetics. All applications are welcome, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, cultural heritage, socio-economic background, physical ability or poetic sub-genre. And in fact, those very aspects of identity are factors the committee will take into account when making its selection, in the pursuit of the Poet Laureate Program being representative of the rich and diverse cultures of poetry in the State of Wisconsin.
Term of Service
The Poet Laureate’s term of service is three years. The next term begins on January 1, 2025 and ends on December 31, 2027.
Expectations of the Position
The Poet Laureate is expected to:
- contribute to the growth of poetry throughout the state.
- plan and/or attend statewide literary events and educational programs.
- visit each region of the state at least once during the three-year term.
- promote poetry and the Poet Laureate position via electronic social media.
- participate in selecting the succeeding Poet Laureate and guide the transition into the role.
- prepare and provide a written report of activities every six months or upon request of the Poet Laureate Commission.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Eligibility and Criteria for Applicants and Nominations
- The applicant should show evidence of achievement in the art of poetry, including substantial publications (books, literary magazines, and/or digital media).
- The applicant should have received significant recognition or awards.
- The applicant should demonstrate excellence in promoting awareness or enjoyment of poetry.
- The applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
- The applicant must have been a resident of Wisconsin for at least three years prior to the application deadline.
- The applicant must be able and available to reach statewide audiences through travel or other means.
Application/Nomination Requirements
The following items are required as part of the application:
- A one-page cover letter that includes contact information for the applicant and the nominator, if applicable.
- A work sample not to exceed six (6) pages, 8 ½ x 11, no less than a 12-point font, no more than one poem on each page. The work sample may contain information that indicates where the poem has been published or performed, or if it has received any awards for merit.
- The applicant’s résumé or curriculum vitae not to exceed two (2) pages.
- An explanation of what the applicant would hope to accomplish during the two years as Poet Laureate, including potential ideas for a Poet Laureate’s special project (up to two pages). Note, this special project is not funded separately by the WPLC; though the PL may use their honorarium if they wish.
- (Optional) Up to two (2) pages of supplementary materials, including excerpts from published book reviews, judges’ comments, or other critical writings that help contextualize the poet’s work for the commission. Note: recommendation letters are not appropriate and will not be considered.
- (As needed) An application package submitted by a nominator must include a statement signed by the nominated poet indicating the poet’s awareness of the nomination, willingness to participate in the selection process, ability to fulfill the requirements of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate, if selected, and verification that the work sample submitted accurately represents the poet’s own work. The statement may be electronically signed as a .pdf or physically signed and scanned.
Completed application packets should be saved as a single .pdf file and submitted via e-mail to the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission at wisconsinpoetlaureatecomm@gmail.com.
In order to be considered, application packets must be received by midnight on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
***Applications are now OPEN***
Selection Process
- The Commission reviews all submitted materials to arrive at three (3) finalists.
- The three (3) finalists are interviewed in person via Zoom by the Commission, which makes its final decision about selecting the new Poet Laureate based on the application packets and the interviews.
- The Commission may acknowledge the other finalists as Commended Poets.
Recognition of the Poet Laureate
- The Poet Laureate will be awarded a $3,500 stipend per year, which honors the poet’s achievements and helps to defray expenses not reimbursed by individual organizations where the Poet Laureate is a guest. The Poet Laureate is encouraged to accept honoraria or remuneration from host organizations.
- The Poet Laureate Commission will work with the Poet Laureate and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters to facilitate press coverage related to key activities.
- A limited edition broadside of the Poet Laureate’s work will be produced.
- In each year of the three-year appointment, the Poet Laureate will be awarded a one-week stay at Shake Rag Alley Center for Arts and Crafts in Mineral Point.
- The Poet Laureate will be featured in an issue of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letter’s Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine.
Timeline for Applications and Selection of the Poet Laureate
September 3, 2024: Application window opens
October 15, 2024: Deadline for applications to be received
Late October 2024: Poet Laureate Commission meets via Zoom to select three (3) finalists
November 2, 2024 Finalist Interviews. New Laureate is selected and notified thereafter. Nominees should clear their schedule for this date in the event they are named a finalist. Interviews will be conducted online in 2024 via Zoom, not in person.
January 14, 2025: Poet Laureate Commission & Wisconsin Academy publicly announce new Poet Laureate
ABOUT THE POET LAUREATE COMMISSION
In May of 2011 the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters announced their stewardship of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate program, created by Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson in Executive Order 404 on July 31, 2000. The Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission has as its purpose to conduct the Wisconsin Poet Laureate selection process, assign responsibilities to the selected Poet Laureate, and assist that individual in performing official duties.
Members of the Commission include representatives from the Wisconsin Center for the Book, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, the Wisconsin Humanities, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, as well as several at-large members.
Thanks to the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters for their assistance in conducting this selection process.