“Are you our next Poet Laureate?”

I’m thrilled to share an exciting opportunity for poets throughout our community! My administration is collaborating with the Arts Council of Rockland (ACOR), announcing the search for the next Rockland County Poet Laureate.

This program represents a fantastic collaboration between ACOR and our county, aimed at celebrating and promoting literary arts. The Poet Laureate will play a crucial role as an ambassador for poetry, engaging with audiences across Rockland County and beyond. Your role will be to bridge the gap between writers and the public, extending the reach of our county’s vibrant programs and educational activities. You’ll help raise awareness of poetry and the arts, and foster collaborations with various local organizations and agencies.

As I mentioned, the Poet Laureate has the unique power to connect communities through public readings and civic events. This position is all about celebrating and promoting the arts, culture, and literature that make Rockland County a special place to call home.

Rockland County is home to a dynamic literary scene with incredibly talented poets, writers, and storytellers who continually elevate our community’s cultural landscape. ACOR and I are genuinely excited to recognize and celebrate poetry’s essential role in our cultural traditions and civic life.

Applications for the 2025-26 Rockland County Poet Laureate open on August 15, 2024, and will be accepted through September 30, 2024. To apply, visit the Arts Council of Rockland’s website. The Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, with the possibility of a renewal for a second year.

To be eligible, applicants should be at least 25 years old and have a body of work published in journals, chapbooks, or full-length collections, or a history of public poetry performances. Detailed eligibility requirements are available on the Arts Council’s website.

For more information and to submit your application, please visit the Arts Council of Rockland’s website at Arts Council of Rockland. You can also reach out to Dorothy Atzl at dorothy@artscouncilofrockland.org.

I encourage all eligible poets to apply for this prestigious role and look forward to celebrating the talent that enriches our community.