Poetry invites us to open up our senses to the experience of place, self, and other. The City of Eureka's Poet Laureate Program brings new people and perspectives into visibility and generates powerful language for expressing the experience of “being here.” 

In 2025 a panel, including at least one youth member, will appoint up to two youth poet laureates and an adult poet laureate. These poets will serve as poetry ambassadors to the city of Eureka for a two-year period. 

To be eligible, poets must live or have a writing studio within the city limits of Eureka, California, or within 1 mile of Eureka; or must be meaningfully connected to Eureka. 

The purpose of the Poet Laureate pilot program is to: 

• Serve as creative ambassador for Eureka

• Celebrate the literary arts in Eureka and beyond

• Be a creative voice for the Eureka Cultural Arts District and the surrounding area

• Collaborate with the broader arts community

• Provide mentorship to youth literary artists

Adult Poet Laureate Information

The Eureka Poet Laureate will:

• Write at least one poem reflecting life in Eureka

• Read an original poem at two City Council meetings

• Plan and implement at least one poetry-related project in the community

• Meet with the youth poet laureate(s) at least twice to share poetry and experiences as a writer

• Serve as a poetry ambassador for at least three Eureka arts and culture events each year

• Exchange with other poet laureates when possible.

The Poet Laureate(s) will receive: 

• A $1,000 stipend (distributed in two annual $500 payments); 

• Public acknowledgement through a press release and mention on the city website, social media channels, and newsletter

• Nomination for the California Poet Laureate Program (if open for nominations)

Youth Poet Laureate Information:

The youth poet laureate will: 

• Write 1 original poem reflecting life in Eureka

• Participate in a poetry reading related to Eureka at least once in each year

• Present one poem at a city council meeting

• Be an ambassador for poetry at Eureka events when possible

• Meet with the adult poet laureate at least twice to share poetry and experiences as a writer

• Exchange with other poet laureates when the possibility allows.

The youth Poet Laureate(s) will receive: 

• A $300 stipend (distributed in two annual $150 payments)

• Public acknowledgement through a press release and mention on the city website, social media channels, and newsletter

Poet laureate program application process:

Prospective poet laureate will fill out the submission form and will submit 3 poetry samples and a community project proposal through Submittable. Applications are due by Friday, February 28 at 11:59pm. Decisions will be made by March 20, with a public announcement in early April to coincide with National Poetry Month.

*If you need support with the application process and/or accommodations for disabilities, please write Leslie@inkpeople.org

The Eureka Poet Laureate Program is a project of the City of Eureka. 

The Ink People staffs and manages this program as a contribution to the arts and culture community.