With less than a year remaining in the city’s current Poet Laureate term, Richmond officials have opened applications for the next poet to serve in the role.

The selected Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term from 2026 to 2028 and become the city’s third laureate, following Roscoe Burnems, who served from 2021 to 2023, and current Poet Laureate Joanna Lee, whose term runs from 2024 to 2026. 

“A big part of what the Poet Laureate of a place should do is to write to and for that place — to bear witness to the times we are living through, and to be a voice for the people who call that place home,” Lee said. 

Lee and Burnems will serve on this year’s selection jury alongside city officials, local poets and community partners. The jury will review applications and make recommendations to Mayor Danny Avula, who will select the next laureate. 

“The city’s next laureate will help us build a stronger, more connected Richmond by using their art to bring people together,” Avula said. “We’re looking for somebody who does the art form well, who loves this city, and who helps it tell its stories and create paths to healing. Richmond has been so lucky in our first two laureates, and I can’t wait to see the immense talent of this next group of applicants.” 

The Poet Laureate will receive a $5,000 annual stipend and $2,000 in initial project development funds to carry out a community-based project connecting residents through poetry. 

Applicants must be at least 18 and live, work or study in Richmond. They must also have an established record of poetic achievement and fostering literary community. 

Nominations and applications will be accepted through Jan. 12. More information is available at go.rva.gov/poet-laureate.