By Bob Katzen
Gov. Healey and the Mass Cultural Council announced that the Bay State is now accepting applications to fill the new role of Poet Laureate of Massachusetts.
Gov. Healey created the new position in February when she signed an executive order establishing the position. This honorary position is designed to promote poetry and creative expression across the state, serve as the governor’s ambassador of the arts and inspire the next generation of writers. The poet laureate will be eligible for an honorarium provided by the Mass Cultural Council.
The Poet Laureate will be charged with encouraging the appreciation of poetry and creative expression across Massachusetts, participating in public readings and other statewide literary and cultural events, composing poetry for ceremonial occasions and advising the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on an outreach program for schools focused on the celebration and advancement of poetry.
“I was proud to sign an executive order establishing our first-ever state Poet Laureate,” said Healey. “We’re excited to be opening the application so that local poets from across the state can apply for this historic position. This is an opportunity to spread the gift of poetry, celebrate the talent in our state, stoke the fires of imagination and tell our stories.”
“The Mass Cultural Council, the commonwealth’s state arts agency, believes in the Power of Culture and recognizes poetry as a strong and vital art form that inspires connection, fosters empathy and gives voice to diverse experiences,” said Mass Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt. “Poetry has the unique ability to capture the essence of human emotion, challenge perspective and build bridges between communities. This new voice will help to enrich our cultural landscape, remind us of our rich legacy of profound writers and strengthen the creative spirit of the commonwealth.”
To apply for the position or for more information go to: https://massculturalcouncil.org/artists-art/poet-laureate/application-process/