Kentucky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. – September 30, 2008 is the nomination deadline for candidates to be considered for appointment by Governor Steve Beshear to the post of Kentucky Poet Laureate for the 2009-2010 term.  The Kentucky Arts Council coordinates the nomination and selection process for the position, created by the General Assembly in 1991 to honor an outstanding Kentucky writer. 

The Poet Laureate promotes the literary arts in Kentucky through readings and public presentations at meetings, seminars, conferences and events, including Kentucky Writers' Day.

Candidates for Kentucky Poet Laureate must be residents of Kentucky with a long association with the commonwealth and have received critical acclaim for their literary work. The word "poet" in the position's title is interpreted in its broadest sense to include persons whose accomplishments are in any literary form.

Kentucky's present Poet Laureate is Jane Gentry Vance.  For more information about Vance and Kentucky poets laureate history, go to http://www.artscouncil.ky.gov/Poet/Poet.htm.

Guidelines, instructions and nomination forms for Kentucky Poet Laureate are available at http: http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog1/poet_gdl.htm. For more information, contact the coordinator of the poet laureate nominations, Daniel J. Strauss, at 888-833-2787 ext. 474 or dan.strauss@ky.gov.

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet that creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

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