Los Angeles Seeks New Poet Laureate
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has started the search for the city’s next poet laureate.
However, she’s not just considering any input; she has particular requirements for this role, which includes a stipend of $10,000.
The chosen laureate will act as a “cultural ambassador.” According to the job description, the focus will be on hosting “inclusive poetry events” aimed at communities that have previously had limited access to creative writing.
Furthermore, there’s an emphasis on needing to “amplify the voices of diverse communities.”
Bass specifically invites “virtuosic writers” with at least ten years of published work to “step forward and become voices” to promote “the civic importance of literature, poetry, and the spoken word.”
As part of their responsibilities, the laureate will also be expected to headline poetry events around the city, particularly for Angelenos who have lacked access to expressive writing, per the announcement.
Areas like Compton, Watts, and Crenshaw, which have faced economic challenges based on race, are renowned for contributing to the West Coast rap and hip-hop scene, an art form that’s closely linked to spoken word.
“Los Angeles thrives when every voice has the opportunity to be heard,” Bass noted. She believes the Poet Laureate program enables poets from all walks of life to share their works, engage with communities, and inspire residents of all ages.
“This program not only celebrates talent but also fosters connections and makes the arts more accessible and inclusive for everyone in our city,” she added.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Los Angeles Public Library and the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs.
City Library Director John F. Sabo emphasized that the program, which has been inactive for four years, highlights the library’s commitment to promoting meaningful cultural exchange through language and storytelling.
The first-ever Poet Laureate, Eloise Klein-Healy, held the position from 2012 to 2014. She was succeeded by Luis J. Rodriguez, who served for three years before Robin Coste-Lewis took over. After Lewis’ term ended in 2019, the program went on a hiatus. Lynn Thompson briefly led the program in 2021 but left after just one year.
Healy, now 83, is known for her feminist-focused poetry that examines “the impact of place on people,” as she describes it. In contrast, 62-year-old Coste-Lewis has seen success with her works featured in literary journals, including the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review.
Rodriguez, who is now 71, attempted a short-lived campaign for California governor after his tenure ended. Reports indicate he garnered approximately 124,000 votes in the primary election.
Thompson, a lawyer turned award-winning poet, often writes about family, nature, and his experiences as the child of Caribbean immigrants.
Bass intends to announce the new poet laureate in April 2026, coinciding with National Poetry Month. The deadline for applications is set for February 20th.
