Applications for the two-year term are due June 5th
SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo today announced that residents of Salem can now apply to be Salem’s next Poet Laureate. This initiative, a collaboration with the Salem Public Library, helps promote and celebrate the diverse community of the spoken word art form in Salem. Launched in 2023, the City of Salem is pleased to once again start the search for the City’s second Poet Laureate.
Individuals applying for this position must be 18 years of age or older and must currently reside in Salem. Applicants must have a demonstrated body of work and provide samples that show high quality poetry. Individuals applying for the position should also have a demonstrated history of community engagement. Additional submission guidelines, as well as the application, can be found online at salemma.gov/poetlaureate. The position comes with a $1,500 stipend.
“I am excited to once again put out the call for Salem’s Poet Laureate,” said Mayor Pangallo. “We’ve been so fortunate to have J.D. Scrimgeour serve as our first Poet Laureate. As his term comes to an end at the conclusion of this year, we’re preparing to find the next poet to serve in this role.”
The application period will remain open until June 5th. Mayor’s Office staff will review applications for completeness and transmit eligible applications to the Poet Laureate Selection Committee, who will then review and score applications to determine four finalists. Finalist interviews – including poetry readings open to the public – begin in August. The next Salem Poet Laureate will be announced in September and will serve a term commencing January 2027 and lasting until the end of 2028.
