Poet Laureate

The Mercantile Library seeks applicants for the role of 2025-2027 Cincinnati and Mercantile Library Poet Laureate.

Since 2015, the Mercantile Library has partnered in Cincinnati’s Poet Laureate program, hosting the inductions of Pauletta Hansel (2016-’18), Manuel Iris (2018-’21), and Yalie Saweda Kamara (2022-2025).

The submission window for the 2025-2027 Cincinnati and Mercantile Library Poet Laureate is open through April 15. The Poet Laureate will be a poet living in Cincinnati whose work exemplifies the character and spirit of Cincinnati.

Over their two-year, stipend supported term they will promote poetry appreciation, encourage the reading and writing of poetry throughout the city, and compose and read poems for special events. The Poet Laureate will develop plans for their term and report regularly to the Advisory Committee.

The Poet Laureate will participate in State of the City events, as well as Poetry Month and other official city & Mercantile events.

Other criteria include:

Applicants must be 21 years or older and must live within the City of Cincinnati.

The poet and their work must demonstrate a commitment to poetry and a willingness to engage with the community and will ideally have a history of curated literary publication.

The City and Mercantile Library will have the right to record, publish, and display any works produced by the Poet Laureate as part of their position.

Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae or resumé, along with a typed, one-page vision statement defining what role they should play in the community. A sample of their work (up to 10 pages of poetry samples) should also be included in the submission. Please submit materials via email for review by April 15 to poet@mercantilelibrary.com.

The Poet Laureate will be named in May 2025 by The Mercantile Library and Mayor of the City of Cincinnati based on recommendations from the twelve-member Poet Laureate Advisory Committee.

• Cincinnati and Mercantile Library Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of poetry is this selection committee seeking to receive? The committee is not looking for a specific type or style of poetry, but rather more interested in the quality of the work. In short, send your best work!

How many poems should a candidate submit? Up to 10 pages of poetry samples.

Does a candidate need an English degree or poetry background to apply? No, you do not need to have an English degree or poetry background to apply! All backgrounds are welcome.

What will the responsibilities does the laureateship carry?

Over their two-year, stipend-supported term the Poet Laureate will:                                                                                                                           

• Promote poetry appreciation.                                                                                           
• Encourage the reading and writing of poetry throughout the city.                                              
• Compose and read poems for special events.                                                                                                   
• Develop plans for their term and report regularly to the Advisory Committee.

How do I write the vision statement?

This document should reflect how you think you can best serve Cincinnati based on your talents/background/previous accomplishments/ideas and the ways in which you believe poetry and your ideas for its communal utility will enrich the city and its inhabitants.  

As you may have already noticed from your research of this position, every candidate’s path is different, across the country. What matters for a Poet Laureate, is a sincere and tireless appetite for service and a strong and demonstrated record of artistic achievement and dedication to one’s own craft. In short, commitment to the work is what counts!

Does a candidate need to have previous publications in order to be eligible for the laureateship? Previous publication is not an eligibility requirement.

Will there be monthly meetings to attend? While there are no mandated monthly meetings for the Poet Laureate to attend, there will be opportunities to meet with advisory board. Insofar as poetry programming, a Poet Laureate may consider facilitating “Office Hours,” monthly convenings in which the Poet Laureate and community members gather to discuss poetry, their own writings, and engage in writing activities together. Additionally, there are events and gatherings that Poet Laureates attend, which may run on a monthly basis.

Is this a paid position? Yes, the laureateship is a stipend-supported position.

Other questions? Please send a message to poet@mercantilelibrary.com

Yalie Saweda Kamara, Ph.D is the 2022 - 2024 Cincinnati and Mercantile Library Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate program began in 2016, with Pauletta Hansel as the inaugural poet. Manuel Iris succeeded Hansel in 2018.

The Poet Laureate promotes poetry throughout the city, reads poems at events, and leads programming for all ages and backgrounds. Kamara holds regular office hours at the Mercantile for anyone to join. Check the calendar for dates & times. For more information, message Yalie.

Contact Yalie

The Poet Laureate program is partially underwritten by The George & Margaret McLane Foundation, The Mercantile Library, the City of Cincinnati, & Anonymous.