Established in 2005, the City of Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Program celebrates the art of poetry and its power to connect and inspire. The Santa Barbara Public Library serves as the official home of the program and a key partner in its stewardship. Learn more about the Library’s upcoming events here.
Current Poet Laureate
2025-2027 CITY OF SANTA BARBARA POET LAUREATE
George Yatchisin
George Yatchisin serves as the City’s Poet Laureate for the 2025- 2027 term. A longtime Santa Barbara resident, George has built a prolific career as a writer. His work has been featured in well-known publications such as Edible Santa Barbara, The Santa Barbara Independent, Sunset, the California Review of Books, and KCET’s food blog. He has also authored two poetry collections: Feast Days and The First Night We Thought the World Would End. His essays and poems have been widely anthologized, making him a prominent voice in the literary community.
Past Poet Laureates
Past Poet Laureates with U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith.
Photo credit: David Bazemore
Left to right: Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, Enid Osborn, Perie Longo, Chryss Yost, Tracy K. Smith (United States Poet Laureate Emerita), David Starkey, Paul Willis, and Phil Taggart (Ventura County Poet Laureate Emeritus).
Laureates by Term
Since 2005, the City Poet Laureate Program has recognized distinguished poets who have contributed to Santa Barbara’s literary and cultural life.
2023-2025
Melinda Palacio
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