Our Mission

Governor Thompson created the Commission in Executive Order 404 on July 31, 2000 to recommend candidates for the Poet Laureate of Wisconsin. Seven (7) members were appointed to 4-year terms. Each of five (5) organizations recommended one person for membership: the Council for Wisconsin Writers, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, the Wisconsin Regional Writers Association, the Wisconsin Humanities Council, and the Wisconsin Arts Board. The governor directed the commission to:

• recommend three candidates;
• assign responsibilities to the poet laureate; and
• assist that individual in performing official duties.

The poet laureate is asked to:

• contribute to the growth of poetry in this state;
• plan and attend at least four (4) statewide literary events each year; and
• perform in at least four (4) government, state, and civil events as requested by the governor’s office, school systems, and literary organizations.

In December 2000, Governor Tommy G. Thompson appointed the first Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Ellen Kort of Appleton, to a four-year term. Governor James Doyle appointed Denise Sweet of Green Bay to a four-year term in September 2004 and in November 2008, Governor Doyle appointed Marilyn L. Taylor to a two-year term.