Poet Laureate

Santa Monica Public Library announces the inaugural City of Santa Monica Poet Laureate 

Santa Monica Public Library is honored to announce the appointment of Anne Carmack as the first Poet Laureate for the City of Santa Monica. 

Anne Carmack is a Santa Monica-based writer and multidisciplinary artist whose work seeks to explore the shape-shifting themes of personal narrative, individual/cultural identity, philosophy, and spirituality by wholly embracing a wide range of media including poetry, painting, photography, filmmaking, storytelling, and screenwriting. Her debut poetry collection "My Own Body Breathing" was an Amazon #1 Best Seller within twenty-four hours of its 2020 release; it can be found in the library’s collection for check out: https://tinyurl.com/4wmv4w77 

Throughout the month of April, National Poetry Month as well as Arts Month, the community will have a chance to meet the Poet Laureate at the following events:

• Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Main Library, Multi-purpose Room and Central Courtyard. The public are invited to participate in a poetry workshop and attend a welcoming reception for the Poet Laureate. 
  
  
• Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arts & Literacy Festival, Virginia Avenue Park. The community will have an opportunity to contribute words to an original poem by the Poet Laureate in honor of the Pico Branch Library’s 10th Anniversary. The poem will be revealed and read by the Poet Laureate at the Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, June 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

“We are a place full of vibrant arts and culture and I am thrilled the see Santa Monica have its own poet laureate,” said Mayor Phil Brock. “I look forward to the community events later on this month as the city commemorates April as National Poetry Month and Arts Month, as well as seeing the great contributions Anne Carmack will provide to our community.” 

 “We are excited to have Anne Carmack as the City’s first ever Poet Laureate,” said Library Director Erica Cuyugan. “As a long-time resident and dedicated poet/artist, Anne embodies the spirit and the soul of Santa Monica through her words and her art. We look forward to experiencing the inclusive, unifying, and powerful nature of poetry in all its forms with our community.” 

The Poet Laureate began her two-year term on March 21, 2024. In its inaugural Poet Laureate Program, the City of Santa Monica seeks to highlight the city through the literary arts, support the creation of literary works that commemorate the diversity and vibrancy of Santa Monica, and promote arts education. 

Programs and events are free and open to the public. For more information on library programs and events, visit smpl.org. Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible. For disability-related accommodations, call (310) 458-8600 one week prior to event. Ride your bike or Big Blue Bus. Bicycle parking racks are available at the library.