Poet Laureate of Philadelphia is a civic position in the
City of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...
.
The Poet Laureate has been described as an "Ambassador of Poetry".
The holder of the position is expected to actively promote literacy and encourage expression in the city.
As part of their position, they participate in service work, workshops and readings. One of their commitments is to mentor the Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.
The position was created by the City of Philadelphia during the city administration of Mayor
Michael Nutter,
and continued under Mayor
Jim Kenney
James Francis Kenney (born August 7, 1958) is an American politician who is the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia. Kenney was first elected on November 3, 2015, defeating his Republican rival Melissa Murray Bailey after winning the crowded Democratic ...
.
It was originally managed by the city's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. As of 2017, administration of the program was transferred to the
Free Library of Philadelphia.
Poets Laureate
The position of Poet Laureate of Philadelphia has a two-year duration, and is generally announced in January.
*2012-2013 -
Sonia Sanchez
*2014-2015 -
Frank Sherlock
Frank Sherlock is an American poet, and second Poet Laureate of Philadelphia. He was a 2013 Pew Fellow in the Arts.
Life
Frank Sherlock was the 2014-15 Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, and a 2013 Pew Fellow in the Arts for Literature.
His most re ...
*2016-2017 -
Yolanda Wisher
Yolanda Wisher (born 1976) is an American poet, educator and spoken word artist who focuses on the experience of being African-American. She is a graduate of Temple University and was selected as the third Poet Laureate of Philadelphia in 2016.
...
*2018-2019 -
Raquel Salas Rivera
Raquel Salas Rivera (born December 26, 1985) is a bilingual Puerto Rican poet who writes in Spanish and English, focusing on the experience of being a migrant to the United States, the colonial status of Puerto Rico, and of identifying as a quee ...
*2020-2021 -
Trapeta Mason
*2022-2023 -
Airea D. Matthews
Airea D. Matthews is an American poet. She is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing and the co-director of the Creative Writing Program at Bryn Mawr College. She was named the 2022-2023 Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.
Education and early life ...
Youth Poets Laureate
The position of Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia has a one-year duration, corresponding roughly to the school year. It is often announced in June or July. The Youth Poet Laureate receives mentoring from the Philadelphia Poet Laureate, and is encouraged to develop a "signature project that engages the public" during their year.
* 2013-2014 - Siduri Beckman
* 2014-2015 - Soledad Alfaro-Allah
* 2015-2016 - David Jones
* 2016-2017 - Otter Jung-Allen
* 2017-2018 - Husnaa Hashim
*2018-2019 - Wes Matthews
*2019-2020 - Mia Concepcion
*2020-2021 -
*2021-2022 - Andre'a Rhoads
References
{{Philadelphia Poets Laureate, state=autocollapse
Culture of Philadelphia
*Phil