poet laureate program
santa barbara poet laureate applications now open
Submission deadline: February 14, 2025
The City of Santa Barbara is seeking applications for its next Poet Laureate!
The honorary civic leader will receive a $2,000 stipend to engage in ceremonial, educational, and cultural activities and serve a two-year term beginning in April 2025.
Applications will be accepted until Feb. 14, 2025
Established in 2005, the Poet Laureate program uplifts City and community activities through the literary arts. The Santa Barbara Public Library serves as the “Home of the Poet Laureate” to offer collaborative public programming.
Poets with diverse backgrounds, especially those from historically marginalized communities, are encouraged to apply.
current santa barbara Poet Laureate: Melinda Palacio
Melinda Palacio is an internationally-lauded poet, author, and speaker. She serves as Santa Barbara’s first Chicana Poet Laureate. Her chapbook, “Folsom Lockdown,” won Kulupi Press’ Sense of Place award. Her novel, “Ocotillo Dreams,” received the Mariposa Award for Best First Book at the 2012 International Latino Book Awards, as well as a PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles Award for Excellence in Literature. Her full-length poetry collection, “How Fire Is a Story, Waiting,” received First Prize in Poetry at the International Latino Book Awards. Her work has also been featured on the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-a-Day Program. Melinda’s term concludes in March 2025.
past Poets Laureate
2021-2023 | Emma Trelles
2019-2021 | Laure-Anne Bosselaar
2017-2019 | Enid Osborn
2015-2017 | Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
2013-2015 | Chryss Yost
2011-2013 | Paul Willis
2009-2011 | David Starkey
2007-2009 | Perie Longo
2005-2007 | Barry Spacks
In July 2018, three of our Past Poets Laureate traveled to Ireland! Learn more about their adventure.