2027-2028 Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate: Opens October 15
Santa Cruz County has a tradition of poets laureate going back to 2010 when Gary Young was appointed the first Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County. The current 2025-2026 Poet Laureate, Nancy Miller Gomez, has continued the legacy of enriching our community with poetry programming and events.
Mission and Role in the Community
The Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate is an honorary position. 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 County Board of Supervisors. The Poet
Laureate represents the community and the County of Santa Cruz, and must conduct themselves accordingly.
The position is sponsored by the County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Spaces, and Cultural Services, in
collaboration with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, and Poetry Santa Cruz.
Duties
- Serve a two-year term
- Participate in County-wide events and readings, including at least three in Santa Cruz Public Libraries' locations
spread across the County
- Create a project engaging communities in poetry
The Poet Laureate's duties are supported by a $2000 grant funded by Arts Council Santa Cruz County.
About the selection process
Eligibility:
- 18 years of age or older
- Current resident of Santa Cruz County
-
Actively working in the field of poetry and published or recognized for your contributions. Recognition may include
awards, positive literary reviews, fellowships, experience organizing
poetry/literary events, and/or experience organizing or leading relevant workshops.
- Able to fulfill the duties of the position
The Poet Laureate represents the County and interacts with youth, therefore the finalist will need to complete a
background check before appointment. Results will be kept confidential. Information
will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine if there is a direct connection with an applicant's ability to
fulfill the duties of Poet Laureate or that could impact safety. A past criminal
conviction will not automatically prohibit an individual from eligibility. Immigration status and driving offenses
recorded by the DMV will not be checked.
Selection panel considerations:
- 40 points - Artistic achievement in poetry
- 20 points - Community engagement experience and ability to communicate well across a diverse range of communities
- 20 points - Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- 20 points - Alignment of proposed project with Poet Laureate mission and role
Selection Panel Makeup
The selection panel is composed of seven members, last appointed in 2026, who will serve either a 4- or 6-year term. Panelists represent the following community roles:
- Santa Cruz County Arts Commissioner (4 yr. term)
- Arts Council Santa Cruz County Board Member or staff (6 yr. term)
- Current/immediate past Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate (4 yr. term)
- Student poet/current Youth Poet Laureate (6 yr. term)
- A member of a group that serves writers of color (6 yr. term)
- A spoken-word poet (6 yr. term)
- At-large community member (6 yr. term)
