Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced an open call for the city's next poet laureate, a role designed to serve as a cultural ambassador with a focus on inclusivity and outreach to underserved communities. The position offers a $10,000 stipend and targets experienced writers committed to amplifying diverse voices across the city.
According to the job description, the selected poet laureate will host “inclusive poetry events” and prioritize “reaching neighborhoods that have historically had limited access to expressive writing.” This emphasis underscores the mayor's vision for the role to bridge cultural gaps and promote poetry as a vital civic tool.
The laureate's responsibilities include headlining poetry events throughout Los Angeles, particularly those aimed at Angelenos who have historically lacked access to expressive writing opportunities. These events are intended to foster broader engagement with literature, poetry, and the spoken word.
A key requirement is to “amplify the voices of diverse communities,” positioning the poet laureate as a champion for underrepresented groups. The initiative highlights the civic importance of these art forms in strengthening community ties.
The open call specifically invites “master writers” with at least a decade of publications to “step forward and become that voice.” Mayor Bass's office encourages qualified candidates to apply, emphasizing the role's potential to elevate poetry's role in public life.
This search reflects ongoing efforts by city leadership to integrate cultural programming that addresses historical inequities, with the poet laureate serving as a prominent figure in those initiatives across Los Angeles neighborhoods.
