Seeking Applications for the 2009-2011 Poet Laureate

The Washington State Arts Commission and Humanities Washington seek applications for the Washington State Poet Laureate, to promote poetry throughout the state for a two-year term (January 2010 through December 2011). Applications are due October 23, 2009.

The poet laureate will engage in activities to encourage the writing, reading, and appreciation of poetry within the state, including but not limited to readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations. Over a two-year term, these programs will take place in a variety of communities and settings across Washington. The poet laureate will be announced by Governor Chris Gregoire in December 2009.

For information please contact Kris Tucker at the Washington State Arts Commission at KrisT@arts.wa.gov or 360-586-2423.

Samuel Green, Washington State Poet Laureate,
2007 - Present

Sam Green is a native of Washington and resides on remote Waldron Island. A distinguished poet and author of ten poetry collections, including The Grace of Necessity (Carnegie Mellon University Press, 2008), his work has appeared in numerous publications. For more than thirty years, he has served as editor of a small press focusing on the work of Washington poets. Green has served as a visiting poet in a wide range of settings, including universities, public schools, libraries, mental health centers, correctional facilities and poetry festivals. He has been a visiting poet and poetry teacher at Seattle University for several years and has been active with the Skagit River Poetry Festivals.

About the Washington State Poet Laureate

The Washington State Poet Laureate travels the state, building awareness and appreciation 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 Washington State Poet Laureate program is a cooperative partnership between the Washington State Arts Commission, Humanities Washington and the Washington Poet's Association. The culmination of a multi-year effort, the establishment of a Washington State Poet Laureate was led by the late Rep. Mary Skinner and Rep. Lynn Kessler.  The Poet Laureate bill was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gregoire in April 2007.

For more information on how to bring the Poet Laureate to your community, e-mail info@humanities.org.