The Washington State Poet Laureate builds awareness and appreciation of poetry through public readings, workshops, lectures, and presentations. Laureates perform this work in culturally and geographically diverse communities throughout the state. The Washington State Poet Laureate program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington.
Meet Derek Sheffield
Celebrated poet and professor Derek Sheffield is Washington’s eighth State Poet Laureate. Sheffield lives in the Wenatchee Valley and serves as a professor of English at Wenatchee Valley College. He has published several poetry collections and edits poetry for Terrian.org, and has also received fellowships from the Sustainable Arts Foundation, Artist Trust, the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, and the Spring Creek Foundation for his poetry. He took over the role from previous Laureate Arianne True.
Interested in hosting Derek Sheffield for a reading, workshop, or other event?
📅 Upcoming Events
October 2: Huntingford Humanities Lecture
Washington Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield has invited Port Townsend poet Matthew Nienow to talk about poetry and wellness. During their conversation, they will share some of their own poems, and also share works from other poets. After they finish talking, they will answer questions from the audience.
📆Thursday, October 2, 2025
⏰ 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
October 17: 2025 annual Stegner Lecture
Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield gives the 2025 annual Stegner Lecture, “In Whose Presence: On the Nature and Language of Place and Poetry.” Hosted by Lewis-Clark State College, this lecture is free and open to the public.
🌎Lewiston City Library, 411 D Street, Lewiston, ID
📆Friday, October 17, 2025
⏰ 7 – 9 p.m.
- The Washington State Legislature passed a bill in 2007 to establish the Washington State Poet Laureate program. The bill recognized the value of poetry to the state’s culture and heritage.
- The Governor appoints the Laureate based on recommendations from a geographically and culturally diverse panel of representatives from Washington’s arts, humanities, and literary communities.
- Once appointed, ArtsWA and Humanities Washington provide funding for the honorarium ($40,000 annually), travel and project expenses, and administrative support for the Laureate.
- The Laureate serves a two-year term. The 2023-2025 Laureate’s term begins May 1, 2023.
Poet Laureate nominations are submitted using an online portal (Submittable).
A geographically and culturally diverse panel of representatives from Washington’s arts, humanities and literary communities score each nomination. The panel identifies finalists (generally up to three) to be interviewed by the panel. These interviews will happen via video conferencing/or in person depending on circumstances at that time. After the interviews, the panel makes a recommendation to Governor Inslee, who appoints at his discretion.
ArtsWA and Humanities Washington staff do not score nominations or make recommendations on candidates during the selection process but do help facilitate the process and answer technical questions.
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