SEATTLE — Washington state needs a new poet laureate, a messenger to spread the news about poetry’s relevance in everyday life.
The position, established in 2007, is filled every two years. The 2014-15 poet laureate is Elizabeth Austen, who succeeded Kathleen Flenniken and Sam Green.
Applications for the state poet laureate, to serve from Feb. 1, 2016, through Jan. 31, 2018, are being accepted now. The poet laureate program is sponsored by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA, aka the Washington State Arts Commission, with the support of Gov. Jay Inslee.
Forms, information
Abundant information and forms are available at www.Humanities.org — click on “Programs” and then “Washington State Poet Laureate” — while the application deadline is July 31.
The poet laureate is a promoter of poetry across the state, giving readings, workshops and related events. He or she receives $10,000 per year, plus up to $1,500 annual for travel and services and up to $2,000 yearly for other related program costs.
Funding agencies
The National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities Washington fund the program.
Austen, for her part, has held dozens of poetry workshops and readings in her quest to visit all 39 counties in the Evergreen State. She can be reached at poet@humanities.org.
“The current and past state poets laureate have taken this job very seriously,” said ArtsWA Executive Director Karen Hanan, who is from Port Angeles.
“Each has designed unique statewide programs that have a growing awareness and appreciation of poetry across the state.”
