Committee backs exploring a Holyoke poet laureate, aims for 2027 appointment

The Holyoke City Public Service Committee on April 9 voted to send to the full City Council a proposal to develop a city poet laureate position, with an eye toward naming a poet in 2027.

Councilor Talheimer said several neighboring communities have poet laureates and that Holyoke — home to multiple poets — is overdue for one. Talheimer described several possible models: direct appointment, an application process, or a committee-selected nominee, and suggested forming a working committee that would include community organizations, the Holyoke Local Cultural Council and the tourism advisory committee.

On funding, Talheimer said most municipal poet laureate positions are supported by a small stipend, typically $500 to $1,000 per year, and suggested the Holyoke Local Cultural Council as a possible funding source. “This is fundable potentially through applying for a Holyoke local cultural council grant,” Talheimer said.

Poet Adam Grabowski — identified in committee discussion as an invited supporter — told the committee he has been involved in the regional poetry community for years and urged adopting the position to better represent Holyoke’s cultural life. “I think Holyoke is underrepresented… and I think perhaps a poet laureate would be a good correction to that,” he said.

Council members asked whether the position would be paid and discussed whether the committee should forward the proposal with or without a recommendation. The committee ultimately voted to forward the item to the full City Council for further development and community input; members indicated an intention that the city work with community partners to create a selection process and timeline with a target of funding and appointment by 2027.

The full City Council will consider the committee’s recommendation at an upcoming meeting.