Poet Laureate of Minnesota

The Poet Laureate of Minnesota is the poet laureate for the U.S. state of Minnesota.

Poet Laureate of Minnesota
Incumbent
Gwen Westerman
since 2021
TypePoet laureate
AppointerGovernor of Minnesota
Formation1934 (officially in 2007)
First holderMargarette Ball Dickson
SalaryNone

The Poet Laureate attends public events and is expected to celebrate Minnesota's cultural history, engaging the youth and marginalized voices in poetry.[1] According to the office of the Governor, the Poet Laureate "may promote the reading and writing of poetry, preside over poetry awards and contests and write poetry or select poets to compose works for significant state occasions."[2]

History

Following the foundation of the League of Minnesota Poets in 1934, Margarette Ball Dickson was named Minnesota's first poet laureate by the national Poet Laureate League.[3][4] A letter she received from the Governor recognized her appointment. In 1973, local media announced the election of a new poet laureate. Columnist Abe Altrowitz, designated Minnesota Commissioner of Poetry by the Governor, named Laurene Tibbetts-Larson as Minnesota's poet laureate on May 14, 1974.[5]

Legislation to make the poet laureate position official was introduced on February 19, 1974, but did not pass. Further bills to create an official poet laureate were introduced on April 1, 2004, and February 4, 2005, but were also unsuccessful. In his veto of the latter bill, Governor Tim Pawlenty, noted that "Even though we have a state 'folklorist,' I also have concern this will lead to calls for other similar positions. We could also see requests for a state mime, interpretive dancer or potter."[5]

The official position of Poet Laureate of Minnesota was established on May 25, 2007.[5] Robert Bly was appointed Minnesota poet laureate on February 27, 2008. He was succeeded by Joyce Sutphen on August 23, 2011. Sutphen relinquished the position in April 2021.[5] Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan appointed Gwen Westerman as Poet Laureate of Minnesota on September 9, 2021.[6]

Robert Bly was appointed poet laureate in 2008.

List of Poets Laureate
# Poet laureate Term began Term ended Appointed by Notes
1Margarette Ball Dickson1934July 21, 1963Poet Laureate League (District of Columbia)[7]
2Laurene Tibbetts-LarsonMay 14, 1974December 6, 1999unofficial election[7]
3Robert BlyFebruary 27, 2008August 22, 2011Gov. Tim Pawlenty[7]
4Joyce SutphenAugust 23, 2011April 2021Gov. Tim Pawlenty[7][8]
5Gwen WestermanSeptember 9, 2021PresentGov. Tim Walz[8]

References
  1. Pugmire, Tim (September 9, 2021). "Gwen Nell Westerman is the new Minnesota poet laureate". MPR News.
  2. "Minnesota's first poet laureate". The Minnesota Daily. March 4, 2008.
  3. "Collection: Minneapolis Poetry Society and the League of Minnesota Poets Records". Hennepin County Library. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  4. "Margarette Ball Dickson". Minnesota Author Biographies. Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  5. Armenti, Peter. "Research Guides: U.S. State Poets Laureate: A Resource Guide: Massachusetts-New Jersey". Library of Congress. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  6. Fischer, Samantha (September 9, 2021). "Mankato professor named Minnesota's first Native Poet Laureate". KARE 11.
  7. Library of Congress. U.S. State Poets Laureate: Minnesota. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  8. "Professor Gwen Westerman Named Minnesota's Poet Laureate". MSU. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
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