Kentucky Poet Laureate Program

The Kentucky Poet Laureate Program, administered by the Kentucky Arts Council, aims to honor distinguished Kentucky writers and cultivate engagement in the state's literary arts. This biennial program selects a poet laureate to serve for a two-year term, from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. While the position is honorary and without salary, the laureate receives a $6,000 honorarium to cover travel expenses incurred during their term. This initiative directly aligns with the broader mission of promoting and celebrating artistic and cultural expression within Kentucky. The program primarily targets accomplished Kentucky writers who are full-time residents with a substantial connection to the commonwealth. Eligible nominees must be published authors across various literary forms, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, and screenwriting. The ultimate impact goal is to elevate the literary arts in Kentucky by recognizing exemplary talent and fostering greater participation and appreciation among the state's residents. A core priority of the program is to identify and select an outstanding Kentucky writer to fulfill the two-year poet laureate role. Furthermore, the program focuses on developing activities to recognize the laureate and supporting their efforts in advancing the literary arts throughout the state. These activities are designed to create a platform for the laureate to engage with communities, share their work, and inspire new literary endeavors. The expected outcomes include an increased visibility and appreciation for Kentucky's literary heritage and contemporary works. Measurable results could include the number of public appearances and literary events conducted by the laureate, participation rates in literary programs inspired by the laureate's term, and the overall enhancement of Kentucky's literary landscape. The Kentucky Arts Council's strategic priority, as evidenced by this program, is to foster a vibrant arts community and enrich the cultural lives of Kentuckians, operating on the theory that recognizing and supporting literary excellence will stimulate broader engagement and development in the arts.