Could it be you?

Are you an experienced, page and spoken-word poet, residing in the Greater Lansing region? Do you love performing poetry, teaching the craft, and sharing your voice for all to read and hear? Then you might be the perfect person to command the stage as Lansing poet laureate for 2026.

Use your voice

The Lansing Poet Laureate Program was created to bring poetry to the community in a way that engages and inspires them and allows them to perceive the spoken word from new perspectives. Its goal is to expand access to the literary arts and center poetry as a vehicle for community building and creating a sense of place. If you can envision your voice in this effort, this could be the opportunity for you.

Take the mic

If you are a person aged 18 years or older, a resident living in Clinton, Eaton or Ingham county (for at least two full years), and you meet all of the additional application criteria, then you should apply. It’s time for you to share your voice! Click the button below for info, official guidelines and application instructions.

Nominations welcome

Not a poet yourself but know the perfect candidate? We invite you to make a nomination. Just fill out this nomination form, and we reach out to your potential candidate and invite them to submit an application!

Nomination deadline: 11:59 p.m. Nov. 22, 2025

Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. Feb. 16, 2026