Nomination Guidelines
The Iowa Poet Laureate is an honorary state appointment intended to recognize the importance of poetry in Iowans’ everyday lives. Iowa Code 15.470 established the position as a two-year renewable appointment by the Governor of Iowa that is entitled to no compensation because of the appointment but whose poetic accomplishments deserve recognition as the state poet laureate. The position is selected by the Governor from a list of three nominees put forth by a volunteer citizen committee selected by Humanities Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The nominating committee is charged with considering the diversity of the people and poetry of Iowa.
Nomination Process
The is no longer accepting nominations for the 2026–2028 Iowa Poet Laureate term. We extend our gratitude to everyone who submitted nominations and helped celebrate Iowa’s vibrant literary community.
The next nomination cycle for Iowa Poet Laureate will open in late 2027. Additional information, eligibility requirements, and application guidelines will be shared at that time.
Timeline
Appointment term: Two years (e.g., 2026–2028 cycle)
Position Expectations
- Serve as a statewide ambassador for poetry
- Participate in public readings, events, and educational/community engagement
- Promote poetry across Iowa through outreach and programming
- Mileage reimbursement is provided; the position is otherwise honorary (no salary)
- The role emphasizes accessibility, public engagement, and representation of Iowa’s diverse voices in poetry
- Programming is often shaped in collaboration with state arts and humanities partners
Nomination Selection Process
- Nominations may be submitted by others or through self-nomination
- A volunteer citizen panel reviews eligible nominations
- The panel selects three finalists
- The Governor makes the final appointment from those finalists
- The panel is encouraged to reflect Iowa’s geographic distribution
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and full-time Iowa resident
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Be an individual artist with a substantial body of published or publicly presented poetry
- Remain an Iowa resident for the duration of the appointment
2026-2028 Iowa Poet Laureate
Dr. Paul Brooke brings more than 30 years of experience as a poet, educator, and interdisciplinary artist to his role as Iowa Poet Laureate. An Endowed Chair of Creative Writing at Grand View University, he has taught more than 3,500 students and led over 80 poetry workshops and readings. He is the author of nine books, including six poetry collections, and his work has appeared in publications such as Scientific American, The North American Review, and Latin American Literary Review.
Blending poetry with photography, science, and design, Brooke’s work reflects a global perspective shaped by his early career as a biologist and extensive international travel. His honors include the Iowa Prize for Poetry, Pushcart Prize nominations, and fellowships and grants from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
As Poet Laureate, Brooke is committed to mentoring emerging writers, especially youth, fostering collaboration across artistic disciplines, and elevating the voices of Iowa’s poetry community through innovative programming and outreach.
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