|
 Governor
Pawlenty named Robert Bly the state's first official state poet
laureate on Feb. 27, 2008. Read
more.
About
the State's Poet
Laureate
Legislation
passed in the 2007 session charged the Minnesota Humanities Center
with creating a process for naming a poet laureate for the State
of Minnesota. The following guidelines have been approved by Governor
Pawlenty. Nominations were accepted Sept. 30, 2007 through Oct.
31, 2007.
Work of Minnesota's
Poet Laureate
- The Poet
Laureate is the primary spokesperson, supporter, and promoter
of poetry in Minnesota. While the Laureate may read his or her
own poetry, the Laureate should highlight and promote the poetry
of others, past and present.
- The Poet
Laureate may work with teachers and their students throughout
the State to promote the reading and writing of poetry.
- The Poet
Laureate may preside over poetry awards and contests.
- The Poet
Laureate may compose poetry or select poets to compose works for
significant State occasions.
Term of Service
- The Poet
Laureate serves at the pleasure of the Governor of the State of
Minnesota and until such time as the Governor names a new Poet
Laureate.
Support
- The role
of the Poet Laureate is honorary. The Minnesota Humanities Center
will assist the Poet Laureate in his/her role of promoting awareness
and enjoyment of poetry in Minnesota.
Nomination
Criteria
- Admirable
and proven level of ability in writing poetry,
- An admirable
and proven history of having published individual poems and/or
books of poetry,
- Demonstrated
excellence in promoting awareness and enjoyment of poetry in Minnesota,
- Age 21 or
older,
- A resident
of Minnesota for at least one year prior to being nominated.
Nominating
Committee and Process
- An 11-member
committee representing a diverse mix of regions and literary groups
served as a nominating committee, presenting three Commended Poets
to Governor Pawlenty, though the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Timeline
- The Minnesota
Humanities Center announced a statewide call for nominations for
the position of Poet Laureate in September 2007.
- Nominations
were accepted Sept. 30, 2007 through Oct. 31, 2007.
- The nominating
Committee will do its work in October and November 2007.
- The Minnesota
Humanities Center will convey the Nominating Committee's recommendations
to the Governor in December 2007.
- The Governor
named the Poet Laureate in February 2008.
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