The poet laureate is Anaheim's literary ambassador, helping to inspire appreciation of poetry and the arts in the city. The volunteer position is for a two-year term, 2022-2024.

Anaheim was the first city in Orange County to have a poet laureate and one of only a handful in California, including Los Angeles, Fresno and Santa Barbara. 

A poet laureate serves as the official poet for a city, county, state or nation. The tradition goes back centuries. In America, the precursor to our nation’s poet laureate today dates back to 1937.

To be eligible for consideration as Anaheim’s poet laureate, applicants much be a published poet, have strong ties to the city for the past five years, be at least 21 years old and be able to give public poetry readings.

Anaheim’s poet laureate holds free workshops at Anaheim Public Libraries, leads poetry readings at city events and heads up community gatherings that promote poetry, literature and the arts.