How you can become Saratoga’s next Poet Laureate
The selection committee is accepting applications now — but time is running out.
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The Poet Laureate selection committee, a subcommittee of the new Saratoga Arts Commission, is accepting nominations through August 1 for the city’s next Poet Laureate. Author and poet Joe Bruchac (Voices of the People), who currently holds the position, will complete his term at the end of 2025.
The search team, led by the esteemed Skidmore literature professor Terry Diggory, plans to name Bruchac’s successor at the 2025 Saratoga Book Festival the weekend of October 4.
“The Poet Laureate is an important representative of Saratoga Springs, providing inspiration at city events and being a champion of the art form,” Mayor John Safford has said. “I have charged the Arts Commission with the task of ensuring this program continues.”
As the city’s ambassador for poetry, the Poet Laureate promotes citizens' awareness of poetry and heightens overall appreciation of the art form. This important literary steward also leads projects to increase poetry’s accessibility to Saratogians, initiates contact between poets and the community, helps inspire others in their writing, and brings recognition to the revered art form in Saratoga Springs.
The role is an honorary volunteer position in a city that prides itself on supporting the arts in every form, and the person serves a two-year term.
A final candidate is appointed by the mayor after the Poet Laureate Committee — which is comprised of representatives from the literary and arts community of Saratoga — is convened as a task force of the Arts Commission to review and assess all nominations.
Candidates may nominate themselves, or nominations may be made by any individual or cultural organization. Applicants/nominees should be distinguished poets who are committed to the promotion of poetry throughout Saratoga and Saratoga County.
The deadline for submitting applications for the 2026-2027 Poet Laureate is Aug. 1. For additional information, please contact poetlaureatessp@gmail.com, or apply online.