Kansas Arts Commission Open Applications for New State Poet Laureate

The Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) today announced that applications for the next Poet Laureate of Kansas currently are being accepted. The Poet Laureate serves as Kansas’ leading voice for poetry, connecting communities through workshops, lectures and other public programs.

“Arts and culture play an important role in advancing the quality of place and economic vitality of communities across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Supporting the Poet Laureate is a way for Commerce and the Arts Commission to invest in our communities by elevating Kansas voices, building the state’s creative economy, and connecting the literary arts to the communities and businesses they help sustain.”

Responsibilities for Poet Laureate during their four-year term include presenting at a minimum of eight free public events each year, developing a signature program for Kansas audiences, and participating in the annual Poetry Out Loud program. Selected poets will work with Kansas Arts Commission staff on outreach and maintain an active writing and publishing practice.

“Poetry is a creative platform for artists to share where they come from, their personal values and their perspective of the world,” Kansas Arts Commission Director Curtis Young said. “This is an opportunity for poets eager to showcase their talents to Kansas communities and help more Kansans view poetry as a beneficial piece of their lives.”

To be considered for Poet Laureate, applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate university program
• Have lived in Kansas for at least three years and remain a resident throughout the term
• Be available to travel and present statewide
• Demonstrate a strong body of publicly accessible poetry and active publishing practice
• Have a minimum of three publications from the previous five years
• Not be a current KAC staff member or former Poet Laureate of Kansas participant

Traci Brimhall, the current Poet Laureate of Kansas who has served since 2023, is an author of four poetry collections, most recently The Grief Artist. Her poems have appeared in publications including The New Yorker, Poetry Orion and Best American Poetry.

“It’s truly been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve Kansas as Poet Laureate these past four years,” Poet Laureate of Kansas Traci Brimhall said. “I’ve gotten to visit so many great libraries and communities and I’m astonished at the great talent growing in all corners of our state.”

Applicants for the next Poet Laureate must include an artist statement, a narrative describing their vision for advancing poetry in Kansas, a resume or curriculum vitae, and 10 original poems. Applicants may, but are not required to, also submit up to three supplemental materials, such as letters of support or an outline of a proposed public program.

Finalists will be invited to Topeka to present a sample of the programming they would offer during their term. The position includes a $12,000 annual stipend and travel support for approved programs with nonprofit and community organizations in Kansas. The four-year term begins January 1, 2027.

Applications close Friday, October 9. The complete guidelines and the application can be found here.

For more information or questions about the Poet Laureate of Kansas, please contact [email protected].