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The search for South Dakota's next poet laureate

Chris Laughery

The interview posted above is from SDPB's daily public affairs show, In the Moment with Lori Walsh.

The South Dakota State Poetry Society is seeking applications for a new poet laureate. The laureate promotes poetry and connects poem writers in the state.

Holly Moseley is secretary of the Poetry Society. She said the laurate’s job is “…to be the face of poetry in South Dakota.”

“This is not just someone tucked away in an upper room like Emily Dickinson,” Moseley said. “These are real life people.”

Laureates serve four-year terms and are appointed by newly elected governors. The application includes a proposal to promote poetry in the state.

“We ask that applicants apply with a project in mind,” Moseley said. “The Poetry Society will review the applications... then make a recommendation to the governor.”

Christine Stewart-Nunez was appointed in 2018. She worked to publish an anthology called “South Dakota in Poems” and conducted poetry workshops across the state.

The application will open on the SD State Poetry Society website on November 1. The deadline to apply is midnight on November 30. Finalists will be notified in December, and the laureate will be chosen after interview in January.

Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.
Chris is a producer for In the Moment.
Slater Dixon is a junior at Augustana University studying Government and Data Science. He was born in Sioux Falls and is based out of SDPB's Sioux Falls studio.