The City of Tucson, in partnership with the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and the University of Arizona Poetry Center, is pleased to announce the open call for the next Tucson Poet Laureate. This three-year honorary appointment begins March 1, 2026, and includes a $15,000 honorarium to recognize the Laureate’s artistic and public contribution. Applications open November 3, 2025.
The Tucson Poet Laureate program honors outstanding literary achievement and supports poets in engaging the public through creative expression, education, and community connection. It aims to strengthen the relationship between the arts and civic life, while encouraging poetry as a source of reflection and inspiration throughout the Tucson community.
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“Tucson’s strength is found in our history and stories—shaped by many cultures, languages, and lived experiences,” said Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson. “As we continue the Poet Laureate program, we honor the legacy of TC Tolbert, our current Laureate, while welcoming new voices to connect us across the arts. This next Laureate will deepen community bonds and inspire reflection, understanding, and belonging. Together, we will advance our Somos Uno cultural heritage plan through the power of poetry.”
Open to Tucson residents with at least two years of continuous residency at the time of application, the Poet Laureate will serve as the City’s official ambassador for poetry, bringing the literary arts into schools, neighborhoods, and public events throughout Tucson.
“Having a poet serve as a voice for both the people and government, especially in times like these, is a powerful opportunity to bridge divides, challenge narratives, and spark reflection about ourselves and our world,” said Adriana Gallego, CEO, Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. “Poets help us understand each other through beauty and imagination.”
“The Poetry Center is thrilled to support a robust public life for poetry in Tucson and Southern Arizona by supporting our next Tucson Poet Laureate,” said Tyler Meier, Executive Director of The University of Arizona Poetry Center. “We know poetry is an art form that simultaneously can help us both better understand ourselves while teaching us about our relationship to others. We celebrate the work of TC Tolbert, our outgoing laureate, and look forward to partnering with our new laureate with great excitement.”
The Tucson Poet Laureate will:
• Present a public launch reading at the 2026 Tucson Festival of Books
• Lead a community-centered poetry project
• Expand access to poetry in classrooms and community spaces
• Write a commemorative poem honoring the City of Tucson
• Participate in civic events, including the State of the City address
• Support citywide cultural initiatives, including up to three Somos Uno activations each year
• Share documentation of public programs and appearances with the Arts Foundation for use in public communications
For more information on eligibility and how to apply: