Salt Lake City Appointed First Poet Laureate
The city has selected educator Joel Long to serve a three-year term as its first official poet laureate.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in People
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Salt Lake City officials have appointed Joel Long as the city's inaugural poet laureate. The selection aims to integrate poetry into local life and foster community engagement.
Why it matters
The new position is designed to highlight the literary arts and cultivate a deeper appreciation for creative expression within the city. It serves as an official effort to build community through local cultural programs.
The position includes a $5,000 annual honorarium over a three-year term. Joel Long is an accomplished author who has published seven books during his career.
The players
Joel Long
He is an educator at Rowland Hall and an accomplished author who has published seven books.
Salt Lake City Arts Council
This local agency manages arts programming and civic cultural initiatives within the city.
The details
The Salt Lake City Arts Council and the Mayor's Office collaborated to select Long following a search that began in April 2026. Long, who has taught English and creative writing at Rowland Hall since 2004, previously earned a Mayor's Award for Literary Arts in 2009.
Timeline
Long received an educator of excellence award in 2001.
Long received a Mayor's Award for Literary Arts in 2009.
Salt Lake City launched the search for the position in April 2026.
Joel Long was officially named poet laureate on September 22, 2026.
Long's term as poet laureate is scheduled to end in June 2029.
Market Landscape
The appointment of a city poet laureate builds upon the recognition previously established by the Salt Lake City Mayor's Award for Literary Arts. This role formalizes the city's commitment to supporting professional literary figures within the local arts ecosystem.
Residents can expect increased access to poetry and community-centered literary programming throughout the city. The initiative creates new opportunities for local engagement with the arts in public spaces.
The takeaway
This appointment marks a shift toward placing professional artists in civic roles to influence public discourse. Residents looking to engage with local arts should watch for upcoming programming announcements from the city.
Further reading
For more information on community leaders and local figures, visit the People section.
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