Applications are open for the title of 2025-26 Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate.
The person chosen for the honor will succeed Farnaz Fatemi, who has held the title for its 2023-24 term.
The search is being conducted by Santa Cruz Public Libraries in collaboration with the County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Spaces and Cultural Services, Arts Council Santa Cruz County and Poetry Santa Cruz.
Applications will be accepted from Oct. 1 through Oct. 30.
“The Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate is an honorary position,” reads a release from the library system. “The Poet Laureate will elevate poetry in our community, educating the public about the value of creative expression, inspiring diverse voices to emerge, creating new points of connection among residents in our county and increasing access to our cultural resources.”
The poet laureate will be selected through a community panel process and officially appointed by the Santa County Board of Supervisors. Applications and supporting files should be submitted through an online form on the Library’s website at santacruzpl.org/poetlaureate. Information and the application form are also available in Spanish at santacruzpl.org/poetalaureado.
Fatemi, a daughter of Iranian immigrants who grew up in Southern California, was named poet laureate after publishing a 2022 book of poetry, “Sister Tongue” (Kent State University Press). Past Santa Cruz County poet laureates have included Gary Young, Ellen Bass, Robert Sward, Danusha Lameris and David Sullivan.
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