Establishing a Poet Laureate in Washington State

At the start of the 2006 legislative session, WSAC received Governor Gregoire's approval to pursue legislation to establish a Washington Poet Laureate - a person who, through poetry, will support the state's efforts to boost literacy. The Washington State Poet Laureate Bill passed out of both the House and Senate with overwhelming support, and was signed into law by the Governor at a ceremony in the Legislative building on April 19, 2007.

 

"Creating a poet laureate for Washington honors the role played by poetry and poets in the creative culture of our state," said Governor Gregoire.

 

Support for poetry blossomed on the Capitol campus this legislative session, with Legislators reciting original poetry on the chamber floors, Governor Gregoire quoting a student's poem in her State of the State address, and testimony and support from members of Humanities Washington, the Washington Poets Association, educators and citizens.

 

Prime sponsor in the House, Representative Mary Skinner, R-14th, said, "A poet laureate would be the state's official spokesperson in verse. The person designated for this position would be asked to not only share appropriate poetry, but to write it for occasions. This individual would go into communities and work with groups, organizations and schools to expand the use of poetry."

 

Under the new law, the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) is charged with establishing and administering the poet laureate program. The measure includes an initial allocation of $30,000 for the 2007-09 biennium, to cover program expenses, administration, and a stipend for the poet laureate. Future funding for the program will come from gifts, grants and endowments from public and private sources.

 

A selection committee appointed by WSAC recommends a poet laureate for a two-year term. Committee members represent a number of cultural entities, including the state library, education, the publishing industry, and two important partner organizations that supported the bill's passage, Humanities Washington and the Washington Poets Association.

 

House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-24th, also supported the measure. "This legislation demonstrates that the Governor and Legislature recognize the importance of literary arts and culture as a vital part of the fabric of Washington," said Rep. Kessler.

 

Read the Governor's Poet Laureate press release