Poet Laureate Program
In October 2026, the El Paso City Council approved the launch of the El Paso Poet Laureate Program, managed by the Museums & Cultural Affairs Department.
The El Paso Poet Laureate Program (EPPLP) seeks to elevate local poets as cultural ambassadors, increase public engagement with poetry and literacy, and strengthen the City’s cultural life. The El Paso Poet Laureate will be named biannually by the El Paso City Council and will receive a yearly honorarium. Funding for the Poet Laureate Program is derived from the local allocation of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT).
Nomination Process & Timeline
Every two years, an online nomination process will open in the fall. Applicants must be 21 years of age or older, reside within the City of El Paso, and show a demonstrated history of public engagement, among other criteria. A selection committee will convene in winter. The selection committee will include literary, library, cultural arts, and community representatives, who will evaluate nominations based on a rubric.
Nominations for the 2027-2028 El Paso Poet Laureate will open on Monday, November 9, 2026. The inaugural Poet Laureate will be announced in May 2027 and will serve a two-year term.
Program Goals & Duties
Program goals include:
- To promote poetry, literacy, and the literary arts across El Paso
- To celebrate poetry while honoring the diversity of our community
- To provide an ambassador who advances the City’s mission for discovery, learning and creativity
The El Paso Poet Laureate will engage with the public through a variety of activities, to include: monthly civic engagements; workshops and readings; publications and media; and outreach and education.
Program History
Over the years, MCAD has received inquiries on the possibility of a Poet Laureate Program for El Paso. The program came to fruition in 2026 through the collaboration of the department’s Cultural Funding Program and community champion Monica Tucker, with approval from the Museums & Cultural Affairs Advisory Board and the El Paso City Council. The program will celebrate and invest in the City’s robust literary community.
