Galenians are encouraged to apply to become the next Poet Laureate between October 1 and 31, 2026. This rewarding opportunity is a creative venture largely defined by the applicant.The selection committee will evaluate applicants based on creativity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to expand the bounds of poetry while engaging with the Galena community.
The Poet Laureate receives a $500 honorarium per year of their two year term for a total of $1,000 provided by the Galena Public Library. The selection committee is composed of representatives from the Galena Public Library, the Galena School District, the City of Galena, Galena Book & Paper, and the Galena Center for the Art – organizations with whom the Poet Laureate will work during their term.
“For me the best thing about the position has been meeting people,” said Ted Williams, 2024-2026 Poet Laureate. “When I started planning programs and making myself available, amazing poets and artists came out of the woodwork. Galena really is an incredible place. I’ve been so lucky to experience this first hand. The more I did, the more rewarding it became.”
All applicants must be full-time Galena residents for the duration of the 2027-2029 term and twenty-five years of age or above. Applicants are not required to be published. The selection committee will meet in November to narrow the applicants to three finalists. Those finalists will each be interviewed. Only one will be appointed on December 27 at Turner Hall during Galena’s 200th birthday celebration.
Beginning October 1, 2026, interested poets may apply online at www.GalenaLibrary.org or via paper application which can be printed from the aforementioned website or picked up at the front desk of the Galena Public Library.
