The Mobile Arts Council is calling all wordsmiths, dreamers, and verse-makers to step forward.
Applications are now open for Mobile’s next Poet Laureate, who will serve from 2026 through 2028.
Backed by the City of Mobile and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, this role is more than a title—it’s a chance to share poetry across the city in classrooms, public events, and bustling downtown nights.
The selected poet will receive a $5,000 honorarium for their two-year term, but the true reward lies in shaping the city’s cultural rhythm through the power of words.
What the Role Looks Like
The Poet Laureate’s calendar won’t be dull.
They’ll lead three poetry workshops each year in schools, sparking creativity among young writers.
They’ll also take the mic at five official City of Mobile events annually, ensuring poetry has a front-row seat in civic life.
Original work will be at the heart of the post.
Each year, the Poet Laureate will craft three new poems for the City itself, weaving local stories and moments into verse.
And during ArtWalk, downtown’s monthly celebration of creativity, the Poet Laureate will gather community poets for regular readings—turning familiar sidewalks into open stages.
Who Can Apply
The path to this honor is open to adults 18 and older who call Mobile home. Applicants should already have a track record of presenting original poetry, whether on stage, online, or in print.
Just as important is the ability to commit: the Laureate will need to attend public events and keep pace with the responsibilities of a two-year appointment.
For those who love blending artistry with community, this role offers a stage unlike any other.
It’s a chance to put words to the city’s heartbeat and to leave a mark that lingers long after the term ends.
How the Selection Works
A distinguished review panel drawn from the community will evaluate the applications.
Their recommendations will then move to the desk of the Mayor of Mobile, who will make the official appointment.
The timeline is straightforward. Applications open September 1, 2025, and close October 15 at 11:59 p.m.
Finalist interviews will take place in November, with the official announcement in December.
The new Laureate will begin their journey in January 2026, stepping into the role as the new year dawns.
Passing the Torch
Mobile’s very first Poet Laureate, Charlotte Pence, has spoken warmly about her experience in the role.
“I have absolutely loved serving Mobile, Alabama as their first poet laureate,” she shared, reflecting on her two-year term.
With her tenure ending, the baton is ready to pass to a fresh voice eager to carry the city’s stories forward.
For poets ready to take on the challenge, the stage is set.
The words you’ve written in notebooks, shared at coffee shops, or spoken at open mics could soon echo through schools, city events, and ArtWalk nights. To apply and learn more, visit mobilearts.org.
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