Washington State Poet Laureate

The Washington State Poet Laureate is a position established by the Washington State Legislature to build awareness and appreciation of poetry throughout the state.

Job description
The Poet Laureate is appointed by the Washington State Arts Commission with the approval of the governor. She or he serves for a 2-year term. The position is sponsored by Humanities Washington and ArtsWA, and funded by Humanities Washington and the National Endowment for the Arts.

History
The Washington State Legislature voted to establish the office of Poet Laureate in 2007. The first State Poet Laureate was Sam Green, who served 2007-2009.

The progam was suspended by the governor in 2009 due to budget cuts. It was revived in 2012, with Kathleen Flenniken appointed Poet Laureate. She served until 2014.

Elizabeth Austen became the third Washington State Poet Laureate in 2014.

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