Kentucky Poet Laureate Nomination
Kentucky Poet Laureate Nomination
Application Deadline: August 3, 2026 Nomination FormThe Kentucky Arts Council strongly encourages you to read and understand the grant guidelines before accessing the application.
About the Program
The Kentucky General Assembly established the Kentucky Poet Laureate position in 1991. The Governor appoints the poet laureate for a two-year term. The word poet in the position's title is interpreted in its broadest sense to include people whose accomplishments are in any recognized literary form, including poetry, fiction, biography, creative nonfiction, playwriting, etc.
The Kentucky Poet Laureate's minimum duties over the two years of office are:
• To make a presentation at the Kentucky Arts Council’s annual Kentucky Writers' Day (held on or around April 24)
• To promote the literary arts in Kentucky through readings of their work, workshops, and presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences, schools and libraries across the state.
The Kentucky Poet Laureate holds the position from Jan. 1, 2027, to Dec. 31, 2028, and will serve without salary. The Kentucky Poet Laureate receives a $7,500 honorarium to cover travel expenses during the two-year term.
Core Values of the Kentucky Arts Council
The Kentucky Arts Council strongly encourages you to read and understand the guidelines before beginning the GO Smart application. Like all programs of the arts council, the Kentucky Poet Laureate program is guided by the agency's core values. Successful applications will embody these core values, and all applicants are strongly encouraged to read and reflect upon them before submitting an application.
The purpose of the Kentucky Poet Laureate Program is to honor outstanding Kentucky writers and promote participation in the literary arts of the state.
Nominations will be assessed using the following review criteria:
- Publication of a written body of literary work that is informed by living in Kentucky
- Critical acclaim for the work’s high degree of creativity and clarity of form and style as demonstrated by the receipt of special honors, awards and other forms of recognition
- Capacity to promote the literary arts in Kentucky through readings and public presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences and other programs across the commonwealth, including Kentucky Writers’ Day
Eligible nominees must be:
- Residents of Kentucky, with a long association with the commonwealth
- Published writers of any of the recognized literary forms, including poetry, fiction, biographical work, creative nonfiction, playwriting, etc.
How to Make a Nomination
- Thoroughly read the guidelines and instructions prior to beginning the nomination form.
- Complete and submit the nomination form by the deadline.
Following the deadline, your nomination will be reviewed by the program director, who may contact you if clarification is needed.
Program Support
The Kentucky Arts Council offers the following support to ensure that program standards and goals are met:
- Consultation regarding nomination eligibility
- Instructions for completing and submitting a nomination
Who May Nominate
Kentucky Poet Laureate nominations may come from individuals or organizations within or outside of the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Current and past Kentucky Poets Laureate are ineligible for nomination.
| Nomination deadline | Aug. 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern |
| Panel review of nominations | Sept.-Nov. 2026 |
| Governor’s approval of nomination | As soon as possible after committee makes its recommendation |
| Announcement of Poet Laureate | Between Jan. 1, 2027, and April 24, 2027 |
| Induction and public presentation by Kentucky Poet Laureate | April 24, 2027, during the Kentucky Arts Council’s annual Kentucky Writers’ Day event unless that date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a state holiday. On those occasions, the Kentucky Arts Council will celebrate on the Friday before April 24 or the Monday after April 24. |
For More Information
For More Information
The arts council welcomes questions regarding this program and the nomination process. For more information, contact:
Tamara Coffey
Arts Program Branch Manager
Kentucky Arts Council
502-892-3121