UPDATED 1/10/2024: The Poet Laureate submission deadline has been extended to Monday, January 22, 2024.

The Howard County Poet Laureate is an honorary position, formally appointed by the County Executive through a recommendation determined by a selection process guided by Howard County Poetry & Literature Society. During their two-year term from April to March, the Poet Laureate acts as an advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts and contributes to Howard County’s poetic and literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events. The Poet Laureate receives a stipend of $5,000 per year of service, disbursed through the Howard County Arts Council.

Applications are open now, until January 22, 2024, for active poets residing in Howard County and fulfilling all eligibility requirements. The next Poet Laureate will serve from April 2024 – March 2026. The program is a partnership between Howard County Poetry & Literature Society with the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Arts Council.

About the Howard County Poet Laureate Program

On October 24, 2023 Howard County Executive Calvin Ball approved the establishment of the position of Howard County Poet Laureate, to elevate poetry in the consciousness of Howard County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts. The program is administered in partnership between the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) and Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo).

The Poet Laureate is an honorary two-year position, in service to the community, and formally appointed by the County Executive, acting on a recommendation determined through an artistic and community panel selection process coordinated by HoCoPoLitSo. The Poet Laureate will not be considered an employee of Howard County nor of HCAC and will continue to have individual pursuits.

The next Poet Laureate will serve from April 2024 through March 2026 and will receive a stipend of $5,000 per year of service, paid in two equal installments of $2,500 at the beginning and end of the year. In addition, a budget of up to $500 per year is available for reimbursable expenses related to the Poet Laureate’s activities, to be paid at the end of each year. The deadline for applications is January 22, 2024.

The Howard County Poet Laureate Program is a partnership with the Office of County Executive Calvin Ball, the Howard County Arts Council, and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society.

Please refer to the full application and official program guidelines for a complete description of eligibility criteria and instructions.