State Poet Laureate
In 1985, New York established a state poet laureate position, which is currently held by Patricia Spears Jones, who was appointed to a two-year term in 2023. Spears Jones is the author of five collections of poetry, including The Beloved Community (Copper Canyon Press, 2023). She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Jackson Poetry Prize, fellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
City and County Poets Laureate
Albany
In 2016, Rebecca Black was appointed the poet laureate of Albany, New York. Black is the author of Cottonlandia (University of Massachusetts Press, 2005), winner of the Juniper Prize for Poetry.
Brooklyn
In 2010, Tina Chang became the poet laureate of Brooklyn, New York.
Bronx
Haydil Henriquez is the poet laureate of the Bronx.
Buffalo
In 2021, Jillian Hanesworth was named the first poet laureate of Buffalo.
Rochester
In 2023, Jean Prokott was appointed poet laureate of Rochester.
Saratoga Springs
In 2022, Joseph Bruchac was appointed the first poet laureate of Saratoga Springs.
Queens
Maria Lisella is the outgoing poet laureate of Queens, New York.
Westchester County
B.K. Fischer is Westchester County's first poet laureate; a position created in 2021.
Yonkers
In 2022, Golda Solomon was named the first poet laureate of Yonkers.
