Have you ever wondered about the position of Poet Laureate of the United States? Would it surprise you that, far from being just an honorary title, it’s actually a job?
Originally called the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, in 1986 the title was changed to Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry. It is an annually appointed position, but several serve for more than one year, being appointed to consecutive terms.
The Poet Laureate, during his or her term, must present opening and closing programs at the Library of Congress, and is charged with finding ways to raise the national awareness and create a greater appreciation of the reading and writing of poetry. He/she receives a $35,000 annual stipend funded by a gift from Archer M. Huntington. While there are certain duties the Laureate is responsible for, he/she has freedom to work on their own project(s) while at the Library. Each one leaves his or her own stamp on the nation’s records.
Joseph Brodsky (1991-1992) initiated a simple project to bring poetry to public places such as airports, supermarkets, and Hotel rooms. Maxine Kumin (1981-1982) started a series of workshops for women at the Library of Congress. Gwendolyn Brooks (1985-1986) turned her attention to elementary school children. Rita Dove (1993-1995) explored poetry with African origins and championed children’s poetry and jazz.
I mentioned Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, and how it culminated in video recordings held in the Library of Congress, but the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature, which contains recordings of over 2000 poets reading their own work, was begun in 1943 by Allen Tate. If you are interested in recordings by certain authors, you can find them in the Library of Congress Online Catalog.
More projects include:
Ted Kooser
American Life in Poetry, founded in 2004 by Ted Kooser. Kooser provided newspapers and online periodicals with a free weekly column that featured a contemporary American poet.
Poetry 180 was founded by the 11th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry (2001-2003), Billy Collins. It allows teachers and schools to print a poem every day for the 180 days of the school year for reading and discussion, helping to introduce young readers to the world of contemporary poetry.
Poetry for the Mind’s Joy, created by Kay Ryan in 2008, was a project awarding the work of staffs and students in American community colleges.
Natasha Tretheway
The current Poet Laureate, Natasha Tretheway, was appointed to her second term in June of 2013. Her signature project, Where Poetry Lives, is a series of on-location reports in various cities across the U.S. and is a regular feature on the PBS NewsHour Poetry Series.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Tretheway several years ago when she was the featured artist at the Delta Blues Symposium in Jonesboro, Arkansas, sponsored by Arkansas State University. A seemingly delicate woman with a powerful poetic voice, she unselfishly gave her time and talent to a wonderful workshop. I look forward to the legacy she will leave.After all the great work by former Laureates, it is mind-boggling to consider what new projects are still waiting to begin. What would YOU do, if given the opportunity?
This was very informative and interesting. I actually have several of the “Poets in Their own Voice” CDs and I love them. It is amazing to hear the poems read the way the author meant them to be. If I were in that position, I would focus on the minority voices/works more.
Sandra, I have several of those CD’s, too. Love them!
Really enjoyed this essay on poets, and I learned all kinds of things from it. It’s good to know the art is supported by the powers that be. (I bet you’re writing lots of lovely verse this week at Lucidity. Or funny rhymes.)