Poetry

Madison Poet Laureate

The Madison Poet Laureate is an honorary position that nurtures poetry in Madison. We are one of the first cities in the nation to have a Poet Laureate. This reflects Madison's deep historical investment in the literary arts. The Poet Laureate runs the Poetry in Common Council, Bus Lines, and Youth Poet Laureate programs.

Program History
In 1977 Mayor Paul Soglin honored the first Poet Laureate. The role continues today, and honorees include:

1977-2000: John Tuschen
2000-2007: Andrea Musher. Musher supported the passing of a resolution to officially recognize the role, which was passed at the January 8, 2008 Madison Common Council Meeting.
2008-2011: Fabu
2012-2015: Sarah Busse and Wendy Vardaman
2015-2020: Oscar Mireles
2020-2024: Angela Trudell Vasquez
2024-present: Steven Espada Dawson

About Steven Espada Dawson
Steven Espada Dawson is from East Los Angeles. The son of a Mexican immigrant, he is a former Ruth Lilly Fellow and Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellow. He has served as a poetry editor for Copper Nickel and Sycamore Review and has taught creative writing at universities, libraries, and prisons across the country. His poems appear in many journals and have been anthologized in Best New Poets, Pushcart Prize, and Sarabande’s Another Last Call. Learn more about Steven on his website.

Email poetlaureate@cityofmadison.com to contact the current Poet Laureate.
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Bus Lines

Poet Laureate Fabu began the Bus Lines project in 2009. This opportunity for Madison residents displays short poems on Metro Transit buses. The program was first only open to high school students, but is now open to all Madison residents. Short poems arranged into artful designs are displayed on busses that traverse Madison.

Poetry at Common Council

Watch poetry at Common Council readings.

The Madison Poet Laureate invites poets to read at Common Council a few times a year. The series instills a mood of civility, and reminds us of the complexities of experience, language, and truth. Performing to elected officials encourages the openness necessary to the democratic process. The poet makes themselves vulnerable, as do all residents who speak at council. Council members are, in the moment of the reading, the poet's audience. They offer their full attention to the poet in open-minded contemplation. For the duration of the reading political discourse is suspended. Space is made for another form of interaction and mutual meaning making. This gesture establishes an elevated atmosphere for the meeting to come.

Youth Poet Laureate

Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez started our Youth Poet Laureate Program in 2022. We are the first in Wisconsin to be part of the National Youth Poet Laureate program. The program honors young poets, providing them with opportunities to showcase their art. Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 19 at the time of selection and must live in the City of Madison. The YPL serves for one year, and gives three public readings with the Poet Laureate. Additionally, they have the opportunity to apply for the National Youth Poet Laureate role each fall.

Applications for the 2024-25 YPL closed June 7, 2024. Common Council confirmed Justin Fetsge-Russell as the 2024-25 YPL on August 8, 2024. He read a poem at Council on September 10, 2024 and was honored at a pre-reading reception.

2024-24 Madison Youth Poet Laureate: Justin Festge Russell

Justin Festge Russell (stage name Jexizis) is a local artist specializing in hip-hop, poetry, and creative production. He is a student and Hip-Hop & Urban Arts Scholar at UW–Madison, and a member of First Wave. He is pursuing a degree in education and education administration, so he can better position himself to impact the lives of our youth—whom he believes hold the key to a better society.

2023-24 Madison Youth Poet Laureate: Maliha Nu'Man

Maliha Nu'Man was announced as the second Madison Youth Poet Laureate at a celebratory ceremony at Pinney Library on June 15, 2023. Maliha Nu’Man will enter her sophomore year at West High School in fall of 2023. At aged 14, Nu’Man self-published her first book, Photograph, which can be found on Amazon.

2022-2023 Madision Youth Poet Laureate: Madeleine Bohn

Madeleine Bohn was announced as the first ever Madison Youth Poet Laureate at a celebratory ceremony on July 13, 2022 at the Madison Central Library. 14-year-old Madeleine Bohn entered the 9th grade at West High School in the fall of 2022.

About the National Youth Poet Laureate Program

The National Youth Poet Laureate Program (NYPLP) works with arts organizations across the United States. They elevate youth voices committed to artistic excellence, civic engagement and social impact. The NYPLP is supported by the academy of American Poets, Poetry Society of America, the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Parks Service, and more. It is an initiative of Urban Word NYC, Inc., an award-winning youth literary arts and youth development organization.

A circle of light blue with a black cross in the center that symbolizes the four lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra and Waubesa). In the center of the black cross is a gold circle symbolizes the dome of the State Capitol. The bottom of the cross morphs into a pen nib, representing writers. Above the circle is the word Madison in light blue, and below the circle is Youth Poet Laureate in light grey. Urban Word logo in purple and yellow Youth Poet Laureate Logo