The Minneapolis Poet Laureate Program is a civic arts initiative administered by the City of Minneapolis’ Arts & Cultural Affairs Department in partnership with The Loft Literary Center. The program appoints a Poet Laureate to serve a two-year term as a literary ambassador for the city. The Poet Laureate promotes poetry as a tool for public connection, cultural expression, and civic engagement.
Starting January 1, 2025, and running through December 31, 2026, the appointed Poet Laureate will write and present original poetry at city events, teach poetry classes, lead community conversations, and design a public poetry project with a civic focus. Their responsibilities include delivering three public addresses per year at official City events, teaching two classes annually at The Loft Literary Center, and producing a community event centered on poetry and storytelling. They are also expected to write a poem that captures a key moment for the city during their term.
The Laureate receives a $16,000 honorarium disbursed quarterly over the two-year period and a $4,000 budget for a civic duty project designed to engage youth and address issues impacting the Minneapolis community. Additionally, the Poet Laureate is eligible to apply for an external $50,000 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship to support further impactful community projects.
Eligibility is restricted to active professional poets aged 21 or older who have lived in Hennepin County for at least one year. Applicants must have a significant connection to Minneapolis, demonstrate literary merit, and cannot be current staff or board members of The Loft Literary Center. A five-member panel, composed of Minneapolis Arts Commission members and local arts leaders, will review applications and select the Laureate unanimously.
The selection panel will assess applicants based on their artistic excellence, track record of community engagement, proposed civic engagement plans, and their work’s relevance to the City of Minneapolis. The open application is administered through The Loft’s Submittable platform, where candidates submit required materials including responses to eligibility questions and uploaded documents per system guidance.
This program operates on a recurring biennial basis. The next application cycle is expected to open in Summer 2026. An internal program check is scheduled for June 1, 2026, to confirm application timing and requirements for the 2027–2028 term.
Prepare a feasible public project tied to civic impact; showcase poetic excellence and Minneapolis commitment.
