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About the Program
In 2026, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission established the Raleigh Poet Laureate program in partnership with the Raleigh Arts. This initiative aims to elevate poetry as a vital part of civic life and creatively expand engagement with youth and neighborhoods. The program will highlight Raleigh’s contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the voices of working poets in our community.
The Raleigh Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term to support the commissioning of new poems, the creation of a public program series, and service as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.
The Call for Poets closed on April 17, 2026. The new Laureate will be announced summer 2026
Program Objectives
- Raise awareness about the creation, visibility, and appreciation of poetry and the literary arts in Raleigh
- Support opportunities to incorporate poetry in the cultural life of the city.
- Bring poetry to Raleigh’s neighborhoods and community spaces.
- Commission new works.
- Establish a public program series.
Application Guidelines
Eligibility
- Be a current resident of Raleigh.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Demonstrate a strong connection to Raleigh’s literary community and a strong social practice.
- Demonstrate commitment to community engagement and the ability to represent the City of Raleigh.
Evaluation Criteria
- Have experience working with people of all ages and diverse communities, particularly youth.
- Experience teaching poetry in a range of settings.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with artists and other creatives in a range of mediums and disciplines, including but not limited to public art, literary, design, architecture, tech/innovation.
- Have at least four published or performed works (print, digital, or live performance) over the past three years that are not predominantly self-curated.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement creative public programming across the city.
Budget and Planning
The Raleigh Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and receive a total honorarium of $20,000, paid as $10,000 annually through a contract with the City of Raleigh. This funding supports the commissioning of new poems, development of a public program series, and service as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.
A short planning period will precede the official start of the term, with a stipend provided to support development of the scope of work in collaboration with partners. Additional funding will be available for program and event expenses.
During the two-year appointment, the Poet Laureate will:
- Serve as an ambassador for poetry, inspiring residents to read, write, perform, and appreciate the written and spoken word.
- Commission and present at least two new works during the tenure.
- Develop a minimum of six public activities/presentations each year across diverse neighborhoods and venues, with special emphasis on youth and community engagement.
- Participate in multiple public events a year. Existing opportunities include Raleigh Parks and Cultural Resources programming and events, City Council Swearing-in Ceremony and State of the City , Community Engagement programs, including Community Connectors, Raleigh Engagement Network, Foster Grandparent Program, and Neighborhood Enrichment programs and the Medal of Arts Awards and Gifts of Gold Exhibition Receptions
- Collaborate with City staff on communications, including social media and promotional content featuring commissioned works.
- Participate in civic and cultural events such as festivals, readings, and community gatherings.
- Provide an annual report on activities, programs, and works created during the year.
Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | April 17, 2026 |
| Selection Panel Review Period & Interviews | April – May 2026 |
| Selection Finalized | May 2026 |
| Planning & Contracting | May – June 2026 |
| Year One | July 2026 – June 2027 |
| Year Two | July 2027 – June 2028 |
More Information
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Belva Parker at 919-996-4683 or Belva.Parker@raleighnc.gov.
Accessibility
The Raleigh Arts Commission is committed to making the application process accessible to people with disabilities. Guidelines and application forms can be made available in alternate formats upon request. Raleigh Arts is available for guidance in preparing nominations. Please contact Belva.Parker@raleighnc.gov or call 919-996-4683.
