The state Poet Laureate celebrates and promotes poetry reading and writing across South Dakota by initiating programs, projects, and activities that help accomplish these goals. Poet Laureate candidates are self-nominated for this unpaid, honorary position and serve a four-year term. The Poetry Society Board selects a nominee from among these candidates to recommend to the governor’s office, who makes the appointment. Watch this page for information about the next application period for Poet Laureate.