Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced a search for the city's next poet laureate, a role aimed at promoting poetry and cultural expression across diverse communities. The position, which includes a $10,000 stipend, requires candidates to serve as a cultural ambassador by hosting inclusive poetry events and focusing on neighborhoods with historically limited access to expressive writing. Applications for the role are due by February 20, with the appointee to be selected in April 2026, coinciding with National Poetry Month.
The initiative revives a program that has been dormant for several years, partnering with the Los Angeles Public Library and the city's Department of Cultural Affairs. According to the job description, the selected poet must have at least a decade of publications and demonstrate a commitment to amplifying the voices of diverse communities. This emphasis on inclusivity is intended to ensure that poetry reaches underserved areas, such as those in South Los Angeles, where economic opportunities have historically been limited due to racial disparities.
Mayor Bass highlighted the program's potential to foster broader engagement with the arts. "Los Angeles thrives when every voice has the opportunity to be heard," Bass said in a statement. "The Poet Laureate program ensures that poets from all backgrounds can share their work, engage communities across every neighborhood, and inspire Angelenos of all ages." She added, "This program is not only about celebrating talent – it’s about building connections, fostering creativity, and making the arts accessible and inclusive for everyone in our city."
The role's duties include headlining poetry events throughout the city, particularly in areas like Compton, Watts, and Crenshaw. These neighborhoods, long associated with the origins of West Coast rap and hip-hop, have produced influential forms of spoken word art that resonate globally. The program's focus on such communities underscores an effort to connect traditional poetry with contemporary cultural expressions born from historical challenges.
John F. Szabo, the city librarian, expressed enthusiasm for the program's revival. He noted that it "underscores the Library’s commitment to fostering meaningful cultural exchange through language and storytelling." The Los Angeles Public Library has played a key role in past iterations of the program, providing resources and venues for events.
The poet laureate position in Los Angeles was established in 2012, with Eloise Klein Healy serving as the inaugural holder from 2012 to 2014. Healy, now 83, is renowned for her feminist-oriented works that explore the influence of place on individuals, as described in her profile on the Poetry Foundation website. Her tenure set the stage for subsequent laureates who brought varied perspectives to the role.
Following Healy, Luis J. Rodriguez held the position for three years. Rodriguez, 71, is a prolific writer whose experiences in gang life and activism informed his poetry. In 2021, well after his laureate term, he ran a brief campaign for governor of California, garnering about 124,000 votes in the primary, according to Ballotpedia records.
Robin Coste Lewis succeeded Rodriguez and served until 2019. At 62, Lewis is celebrated for her poetry that has appeared in outlets like The Harvard Gay & Lesbian Review, also per the Poetry Foundation. Her work often delves into themes of identity and history, aligning with the program's evolving emphasis on diverse voices.
The program experienced a hiatus after Lewis's term. In 2021, Lynne Thompson was selected to revive it, but she stepped down after just one year in 2022. Thompson, a former lawyer, draws from her background as a child of Caribbean immigrants in her writing, which frequently addresses family, nature, and cultural heritage, as outlined on her personal website.
The four-year pause in the program reflects broader challenges in sustaining arts initiatives amid budget constraints and shifting priorities in city government. However, the current announcement signals a renewed commitment to literature as a tool for community building. The open call invites "master writers" to apply, positioning the laureate as a voice for the civic importance of poetry, spoken word, and expressive arts.
Applicants must submit materials demonstrating their experience and vision for the role. The selection process will involve review by a committee, culminating in Bass's appointment. This timeline allows the new laureate to begin activities in time for spring events, potentially including workshops and readings tailored to youth and marginalized groups.
While the program's inclusive mandate has drawn attention, officials emphasize its roots in celebrating Los Angeles's multicultural fabric. The city's Department of Cultural Affairs has supported similar efforts to make arts more equitable, including grants for community-based projects. This laureate search aligns with those goals, aiming to bridge gaps in access to creative outlets.
Historically, poet laureate programs in major cities like Los Angeles serve not only to honor literary talent but also to integrate poetry into public life. In Los Angeles, with its sprawling diversity and creative industries, the role could amplify narratives from immigrant communities, indigenous voices, and urban storytellers. Past laureates have used the platform to publish anthologies and collaborate with schools, extending the program's impact beyond events.
Looking ahead, the appointment in April 2026 could reinvigorate interest in poetry amid ongoing discussions about cultural equity in the arts. As applications close on February 20, writers from across the city and beyond are encouraged to apply, potentially bringing fresh perspectives to a program with a rich, if intermittent, legacy. The initiative underscores Los Angeles's ongoing effort to weave literature into the fabric of everyday civic life.
For more information on the application process, interested candidates can visit the official city website or contact the Department of Cultural Affairs. With National Poetry Month on the horizon, the search represents a timely opportunity to spotlight the power of words in one of America's most dynamic urban centers.