Submissions Due Friday, February 20, 2026, at 8 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Public Library invites local poets to apply for the role of 2026 Los Angeles Poet Laureate, a distinguished civic role dedicated to celebrating and advancing the arts citywide. Submissions must be received by Friday, February 20, 2026, at 8 a.m. Serving as a cultural ambassador, the Poet Laureate uses poetry and spoken word to inspire, connect, and amplify the collective spirit of diverse communities across the City of Angels.
“Through the Poet Laureate program, the Los Angeles Public Library is proud to support artists whose work invites reflection, dialogue, and deeper understanding across our city,” said City Librarian John F. Szabo. “This role underscores the Library’s commitment to fostering meaningful cultural exchange through language and storytelling.”
The Poet Laureate program, a collaboration between the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) and the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), reflects the City’s commitment to literary excellence and equitable access to the arts. The winner will be announced in April 2026 during National Poetry Month. The Poet Laureate will work with LAPL under a service contract and receive a $10,000 honorarium. Visit lapl.org/poet-laureate for more details.
The Poet Laureate is a visionary storyteller who illuminates the present, imagines new possibilities, and inspires emerging writers, thinkers, and young people to find their creative voices. The Poet Laureate will engage communities through inclusive poetry events, with a special focus on reaching residents who have limited access to poetry or expressive writing.
”Poets offer a deep understanding and inspiration of our world through the power of the written and spoken word,” said Daniel Tarica, General Manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs.“DCA is committed to championing the literary arts, supporting poetry, and literary opportunities for individuals to learn the craft and experience its impact. We are proud to participate in the 2026 Los Angeles Poet Laureate program and ensure access to high-quality literary arts experiences and learning opportunities for all Angelenos.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Los Angeles Poet Laureate program has honored some of the nation’s most esteemed literary voices, including Eloise Klein Healy, Luis J. Rodriguez, Robin Coste Lewis, and Lynne Thompson.
Eligibility Requirements
Finalists for the position of Los Angeles Poet Laureate must be able to demonstrate, via their professional resume:
- A residential address in Los Angeles County and a residential or professional relationship to the City of Los Angeles; and
- A minimum of 10 years of experience, not including years as a student, in creating poetry, with a demonstrated record of being included and/or invited to present work in poetry journals, magazines, websites, and/or programs that are not predominantly self-curated, personal websites, or personal blogs.
Application Process and Timeline
The 2026 Los Angeles Poet Laureate will be selected through an open-call process.
Proposals will be reviewed by a panel, with finalists selected for interviews in March 2026. Contracting is anticipated to occur later that month, with the Poet Laureate announced in April 2026. The expected term of service is one year.
Writers who are ready to use language with courage, clarity, compassion, and hope are encouraged to step forward and help cultivate a thriving literary culture across Los Angeles.
About Los Angeles Public Library
A recipient of the nation’s highest honor for library service—the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest and most diverse urban population of any library in the nation. Its Central Library, 72 branch libraries, physical collection of more than six million items, digital content and state-of-the-art technology accessible at lapl.org, and thousands of public programs provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for lifelong learning.
About Department of Cultural Affairs
As a leading, progressive arts and cultural agency, DCA empowers Los Angeles’s vibrant communities by supporting and providing access to quality visual, literary, musical, performing, and educational arts programming; managing vital cultural centers; preserving historic sites; creating public art; and funding services provided by arts organizations and individual artists.
Formed in 1925, DCA promotes arts and culture as a way to ignite a powerful dialogue, engage LA’s residents and visitors, and ensure LA’s varied cultures are recognized, acknowledged, and experienced. DCA’s mission is to strengthen the quality of life in Los
Angeles by stimulating and supporting arts and cultural activities, ensuring public access to the arts for residents and visitors alike.
DCA advances the social and economic impact of arts and culture through grantmaking; public art; community arts; performing arts; and strategic marketing, development, design, and digital research. DCA creates and supports arts programming, maximizing relationships with other city agencies, artists, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations to provide excellent service in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.
For more information, please visit culture.lacity.gov or follow us on Facebook at: facebook.com/culturela, Instagram @culture_la, and YouTube.com@CultureLA.