Committee Contact: arlingtonpoetlaureatecommittee@gmail.com

Town Seeks Applicants for Next Poet Laureate – September 2024
The Poet Laureate Committee seeks applications for its next Poet Laureate by January 5, 2025, with a term beginning July 1, 2025. Applications are welcome from individual poets who are seeking the position.  To read more about the role, expectations, compensation, and how to apply, review the complete application instructions.

Interview with Poet Laureate Jean Flanagan – May 2024 
Arlington Selects New Poet Laureate – January 2023 


Poets Laureate of Arlington

Jean P. Flanagan (2023-Present)
Steven Ratiner (2019-2022)
Cathie Desjardins (2017-2019) 
Miriam Levine (2015-2017)

ARTICLE 11
POET LAUREATE OF ARLINGTON
(ART. 13 – ATM - 4/30/14; amended STM 5/8/24)

Section 1. Establishment of an Honorary Poet Laureate of Arlington

There is hereby established for the purposes of advancing the literary arts, enriching the community, and recognizing the literary achievements of Town residents, the honorary position of Poet Laureate of Arlington [note: this position now comes with an annual honorarium of $1,500].

Section 2. Selection, Term and Criteria

Appointment of a Poet Laureate shall be for a term of one year, annually renewable for a total of three years based on the recommendation of a screening committee of five persons consisting of the previous Poet Laureate and one person each designated by:

(a) The Library Board of Trustees (by majority vote)
(b) The Arlington School Committee (by majority vote)
(c) The Arlington Commission on Arts and Culture (by majority vote)
(d) The Town Manager (with advice and consent of the Select Board);

and confirmed by the Select Board.

This honorary position shall be voluntary [note: this position now comes with an annual honorarium of $1,500]. Only Arlington residents shall be considered for appointment, and any person appointed as Poet Laureate of Arlington must at all times remain an Arlington resident during their term as Poet Laureate. In the event that a Poet Laureate is no longer a resident of Arlington during their term, the honorary position shall be construed to have been constructively vacated.

Section 3. Duties of the Poet Laureate

The duties of the Poet Laureate shall be to present original works of poetry, conduct readings and participate in public events and Town, public school and library programs as appropriate and practicable.