| Poet Laureate of Ohio | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Kari Gunter-Seymour since 2020 | |
| Type | Poet Laureate |
| Formation | 2016 |
| First holder | Amit Majmudar |
The Poet Laureate of Ohio is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Ohio. In 2014, Ohio enacted law creating the position of Ohio poet laureate starting July 1, 2016. The Ohio Arts Council provides a list of candidates to the governor for selection to serve a two-year term, with the possibility of reappointment. [1] [2] [3]
The following have held the position:
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government or conferring institution, typically expected to compose poems for special events and occasions. Albertino Mussato of Padua and Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) of Arezzo were the first to be crowned poets laureate after the classical age, respectively in 1315 and 1342. In Britain, the term dates from the appointment of Bernard André by Henry VII of England. The royal office of Poet Laureate in England dates from the appointment of John Dryden in 1668.
Rita Frances Dove is an American poet and essayist. From 1993 to 1995, she served as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. She is the first African American to have been appointed since the position was created by an act of Congress in 1986 from the previous "consultant in poetry" position (1937–86). Dove also received an appointment as "special consultant in poetry" for the Library of Congress's bicentennial year from 1999 to 2000. Dove is the second African American to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, in 1987, and she served as the Poet Laureate of Virginia from 2004 to 2006. Since 1989, she has been teaching at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where she held the chair of Commonwealth Professor of English from 1993 to 2020; as of 2020 she holds the chair of Henry Hoyns Professor of Creative Writing.
The California Poet Laureate is the poet laureate for the state of California. In 2001, Governor Gray Davis created the official position. Each poet laureate for the State of California is appointed by the Governor of California for a term of two years and must be confirmed by the senate. Previous to Governor Davis' action in creating the position, the title was unofficial and the position was held for life. The program is run by the California Arts Council.
The Poet Laureate of Maryland is an honorary position in Maryland. The selected poet laureate serves at the discretion of the Governor for up to a four-year term, renewable by the Governor's consent. The Poet Laureate provides public readings and special programs for the citizens of Maryland, ensuring that people in all geographic regions of the State have access to at least one reading during the term of service.
The North Carolina Poet Laureate is the poet laureate for the US state of North Carolina. At first a life appointment, the term of office is now two years. The program is run by the North Carolina Arts Council. Laureates are appointed by the Governor of North Carolina.
The South Carolina Poet Laureate is the poet laureate for the state of South Carolina. As of October 2020, the position was vacant following the resignation of Marjory Heath Wentworth after 17 years in the post. No term of office is set by law. Laureates are appointed by the Governor of South Carolina.
Poet Laureate of Kentucky is a title awarded to a Kentucky poet by the state's Art Council. In 2013, the position was occupied by Frank X Walker, the first African-American to be so honored.
The Poet Laureate of Oklahoma is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Oklahoma.
The Poet Laureate of Georgia is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Georgia. The position was created in 1925 by proclamation of the governor. The position was codified with the Georgia Council for the Arts providing a list of three nominees for the governor's selection at the start of term.
The Poet Laureate of Delaware is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Delaware. Poets are appointed to the position by the governor. Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills—twin brothers who are known as the "Twin Poets"—were appointed 17th Poets Laureate of the State of Delaware on December 13, 2015. According to the Library of Congress, they are the first co-laureates appointed by a state and the first siblings to share the position.
The Poet Laureate of Wisconsin is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The position and nominating commission was created by executive order from Governor Tommy Thompson on July 31, 2000. On February 4, 2011, Governor Scott Walker discontinued state sponsorship and sent a letter to the members of the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission to inform them it has been terminated. The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters assumed the role of the commission May of that year.
The State Poet of Rhode Island is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The program was established in 1987, is codified in Chapter 42-100 of the State of Rhode Island General Laws. The five-year appointment by the Governor carries an annual salary of $1,000.
The State Poet of Florida is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Florida. Poets Laureate of Florida are appointed by the governor and the Division of Arts and Culture. They first served lifetime, unpaid appointments, until June 20, 2014, when HB 513 established a four-year term.
The Poet Laureate of Utah is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Utah. The Utah State Poet Laureate Program was established in 1997. As a joint project of the Governor's Office and the Utah Arts Council Literature Program, the Governor appoints the Utah Poet Laureate for a five-year term.
The Poet Laureate of Vermont is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Vermont. Robert Frost was the first poet named as Laureate by Joint House Resolution 54 of the Vermont General Assembly in 1961, less than two years before his death. The current position of State Poet, a four-year appointment, was created by Executive Order 69 in 1988. In 2007, the designation was changed to Poet Laureate.
The Poet Laureate of Maine is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Maine. The Maine State Poet Laureate is appointed by the governor for a 5 year term, and the program is managed by the Maine Arts Commission. The program was established in 1995 via Maine Public Law 1995, Chapter 264 and codified via Maine Revised Statutes, Title 27, Chapter 15, Subchapter 2.
The Poet Laureate of Wyoming is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Wyoming. The position of Poet Laureate was created by executive order in 1981 with a variable term of service. The post became a customary two-year term starting on statehood day.
The Poet Laureate of West Virginia is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of West Virginia. West Virginia established the position of Poet Laureate by statute in 1927. The appointment was defined by statute as "at the pleasure of the Governor", but has become an indefinitely renewable two-year term.
The Poet Laureate of Montana is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Montana. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer signed Senate Bill 69 into law in 2005, creating the position.
 | This poetry-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Ohio-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
