Mobile Arts Council Announces Call for Applications for Mobile’s 2026–2028 Poet Laureate

The Mobile Arts Council (MAC), in partnership with the City of Mobile and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, invites local poets to apply for the role of Mobile’s 2026–2028 Poet Laureate.

The Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for poetry in Mobile, using the power of words to engage, inspire, and advocate for the arts in the community The poet laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000 over the course of their term.

Roles and Responsibilities The City of Mobile Poet Laureate will:

• Host three poetry workshops annually for schools within Mobile city limits
• Participate in five City of Mobile events each year (events shared no later than February of each term year)
• Write three original poems annually for the City of Mobile
• Coordinate a monthly poetry reading with community poets during ArtWalk

Eligibility Applicants must:

• Be age 18 or older
• Reside in the City of Mobile at the time of application and throughout the two-year appointment
• Demonstrate a track record of public presentation of original poetry (in-person, online, or via publications)
• Have the capacity and availability to attend periodic public events during the two-year term

Selection Process A distinguished community review panel will evaluate applications and make recommendations to the Mayor of Mobile, who will officially appoint the Poet Laureate.

Application Timeline

• September 1, 2025: Applications open at mobilearts.org
• October 15, 2025: Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
• November 2025: Finalist interviews
• December 2025: Poet Laureate announced
• January 2026: Poet Laureate officiation and start of two-year term

“I have absolutely loved serving Mobile, Alabama as their first poet laureate,” said Charlotte Pence, “but my two-year term is coming to an end. Poets, apply now and let your voice shape Mobile’s cultural story!”