Established on July 26, 2011, the Calgary Poet Laureate position is a testament to our city’s commitment to the arts, supported by dedicated Calgary Poet Laureate Ambassadors, the Calgary Foundation and the Calgary Public Library.
Administered by Calgary Arts Development in collaboration with a volunteer selection committee, each Calgary Poet Laureate serves a two-year term. This artistic ambassador role involves presenting at civic events and creating literary works that capture the essence of our city and its diverse citizens.
The Calgary Poet Laureate for 2024 – 2026 is Shone Thistle.
Past poet laureates have left a lasting mark on Calgary’s cultural landscape: Kris Demeanor (2012 – 2014), Derek Beaulieu (2014 – 2016), Micheline Maylor (2016 – 2018), Sheri-D Wilson (2018 – 2020), Natalie Meisner (2020 – 2022) and Wakefield Brewster (2022 –2024).
Nominations for the next Calgary Poet Laureate will open in 2026.
Contact Kaley Beisiegel at kaley.beisiegel@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or 403.264.5330 for more information about the program or nomination process.
This program is made possible by the Calgary Poet Laureate Ambassadors:
