Mobile Poet Laureate Application Deadline Is October 15

The Mobile Arts Council (MAC), in partnership with the City of Mobile and Alabama State Council on the Arts, is inviting local poets to apply for the role of Mobile’s 2026-2028 poet laureate through October 15. The poet laureate will serve as an ambassador for poetry in Mobile to engage, inspire and advocate for the arts in the community. They will receive an honorarium of $5,000 over the course of their term. Applicants must be aged 18 or older, reside in 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) and have the capacity and availability to attend periodic public events during the two-year term. A distinguished community review panel will evaluate applications and make recommendations to the mayor, who will officially appoint the poet laureate in December.