Ventura County Arts Council (VCAC), in partnership with the Ventura County Poetry Project (VCPP), is now accepting nominations of individuals for consideration to be named Ventura County's fifth Poet Laureate.
To nominate someone, please click "Next" at the bottom of this page to complete this online form. This is the quickest way to make your nomination. If you prefer to print a PDF version of this form to fill out by hand and mail or email it to us, download it here.
Nominations are due by October 31, 2026.
About the Ventura County Poet Laureate
The Ventura County Poet Laureate advances awareness of and appreciation for poetry within Ventura County. The laureateship is an honorary position held by a distinguished poet who is a Ventura County resident with an established presence and history of involvement in the Ventura County literary community (i.e. readings, publications, public presentations, hosting, teaching, or artistic collaboration), and who has previously received recognition for their work.
The position of Poet Laureate is largely voluntary and no tax dollars are spent in the execution of its duties. All funding is generated through private contributions and cultural grants. The Poet Laureate receives an honorarium of $500 per year in recognition of and gratitude for their civic contributions.
Fillmore resident Mary Ann McFadden is the fourth and current Ventura County Poet Laureate. The laureateship role has previously been held by local poets Phil Taggart, Mary Kay Rummel & Luzmaria Espinosa.
Role in the Community
Each Poet Laureate serves a two-year term of service, during which they promote community-centered poetry experiences in ceremonial, educational and cultural activities throughout the county. They celebrate the diversity and history of Ventura County, and they are an ambassador of the county’s literary community.
During their term, the Poet Laureate develops a poetic project tailored to their unique interests and strengths in order to inspire and involve the larger literary community. In addition, the Laureate creates or facilitates workshops and readings in a variety of settings. Through various activities, they encourage community members, including students, to develop their own creative interests.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Nominees must:
- Be a current resident of Ventura County with at least two years of residency.
- Be available to travel throughout Ventura County.
- Have a history of publication and an established presence and involvement in the poetry community in your area.
- Have garnered recognition, whether an award, a contest, or community honor.
Nomination & Review Process:
Laureates are nominated by individuals or organizations. Nominations can be made via this online form, or by downloading and printing a PDF version of the form here to fill out by hand and email to poetry@vcartscouncil.org, or mail to Ventura County Arts Council, 646 County Square Drive, Ste. 154, Ventura, CA 93003.
Once the nominating window has closed, VCAC will convene a Poetry Committee, which is broadly representative of the Ventura County literary community, to review nominations and recommend a short list of candidates for consideration.
Brief interviews will take place for all on the short list. All interviews will be completed by the end of November 2026. The Poetry Committee will then make a recommendation for the Laureateship role, and the final decision will be made by the the VCAC board. We will announce the decision in early December 2026. The newly appointed Poet Laureate will be inaugurated at a ceremony that will take place in January 2026.