Kansas Poet Laureates

Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas Arts Commission established the Kansas Poet Laureate program in 2004.  The original impetus (from the Office of the Governor) for the creation of a poet laureate post in Kansas began in response to numerous requests received at the Kansas Arts Commission and the Office of the Governor suggesting that such a position be established. Responding to those requests, the Kansas Arts Commission voted to proceed (with the approval of the Governor) in the development of guidelines for a poet laureate position. Guidelines were developed with input from Kansas poets and KAC staff research of other states’ poet laureate programs.

Kansas Poet Laureates. Select Below:

1. 2005 - 2007,  Jonathan Holden
   
2. 2007 - 2009,  Denise Low
3. 2009 - 2013,  Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg
4. 2013 - 2015,  Wyatt Townley
5. 2015 - 2017,  Eric McHenry
6. 2017 - 2019,  Kevin Rabas
7. 2019 - 2021,  Huascar Medina - current
   

The Poet Laureate of Kansas establishes programs of his or her design to coincide with the term of service. This may include workshops, special reading series, school programs, conferences, specially commissioned poems or other projects promoting appreciation and writing of poetry in Kansas.

The Poet Laureate program of Kansas is intended to serve the cultural tradition of officially recognizing a citizen poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The program will also encourage the appreciation of poetry in Kansas by making the Poet Laureate available to a wider audience throughout the state.  After the Kansas Arts Commission dropped funding for the position, the Kansas Humanities Council kept the position alive.
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How to Bring the Poet Laureate of Kansas to Your Community

Huascar Medina, the current Kansas Poet Laureate, is available, free-of-charge to Kansas nonprofit organizations. All events must be:

• designed as a special event for adults
• out-of-school audiences at a time that allows a large public turnout
• free and open to the public

1. Contact Huascar and confirm time, date, and location: huascar.edil.medina@gmail.com
    See More Guidelines at: www.humanitieskansas.org/grants-programs/poet-laureate   
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2. Immediately apply for funding through the Speakers Bureau process. (on the humanitieskansas.org website)  Please note: Completed applications, including the DUNS number, must be submitted six weeks before the event date to be considered for funding. HK is not able to fund applications that do not meet this requirement.