Minnesota

State Poet Laureate

In 2007, Minnesota established a state poet laureate position, which is currently held by Gwen Nell Westerman, the author of Follow the Blackbirds (Michigan State University Press, 2013), a poetry collection written in Dakota and English. 



City and County Poets Laureate 


Duluth

In 2018, Gary Boelhower was appointed as the poet laureate of Duluth, Minnesota. Boelhower will serve a two-year term.
 


St. Paul

In 2006, Carol Connolly was named poet laureate of St. Paul, Minnesota. Connolly will serve a twelve-year term.
 


Rochester

In 2023, Jean Prokott was appointed poet laureate of Rochester. He will serve a four-year term. 
 


Minneapolis

In 2023, Heid E. Erdich was appointed the inaugural poet laureate of Minneapolis through 2024.