The City of Port Townsend is now accepting applications and nominations for poets interested in the role of 2026-2027 Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate serves the community in ceremonial, educational, and inspirational ways, infusing literary arts into civic dialogue. The program was launched in 2023 to honor our vibrant creative community, promote the literary arts in Port Townsend, and celebrate the written word.
The 2026-2027 Poet Laureate will begin their term in January of 2026. During the two-year appointment, they will work in partnership with the Port Townsend Public Library and the Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC) to bring poetry to the community through events, projects, and public discourse.
The application is open now through August 31. To be eligible, poets must be 18 years of age and reside in Port Townsend or East Jefferson County. The position comes with a $1,500 per year honorarium as well as project support for programs. The appointment of the Poet Laureate will be based on a recommendation from a five-person selection panel, including a PTAC member, City Council Liaison to PTAC, Ben Thomas, and three literary artists: outgoing Port Townsend Poet Laureate Conner Bouchard-Roberts, local poet Amber Huntsman, and Clallam County Poet Laureate Nellie Bridge. The panel will make their selection in September and an announcement of the next Poet Laureate will be made in October.