Alaska

Current Laureate:
Peggy Shumaker (official title: State Writer Laureate)

Start of Term:
October 1, 2010

Position History:
According to the Alaska State Council on the Arts: "The Juneau Poetry Society created the Poet Laureate Program in the early 1960s. In 1963, under House Resolution 25, the position of Poet Laureate was officially confirmed by the Legislature. In 1987 AKSCA's Literary Advisory Committee began to oversee the selection process with the assistance of past poet laureates. In 1996, the Council acted to broaden the position to that of State Writer, recognizing and honoring all genres of writing. The State Writer position is a two-year appointment."

Previous Laureates:
Margaret Mielke (1963-1965)
Oliver Everette (1965-1967)
John Haines (appointed 1969)
Ruben Gaines (appointed 1973)
Sheila Nickerson (appointed 1977)
Richard Dauenhauer (appointed 1981)
Joanne Townsend (appointed 1988)
Tom Sexton (appointed 1995)
Richard Nelson (appointed 2000)
Anne Hanley (2002-2004)
Jerah Chadwick (October 2004-September 2006)
John Straley (October 2006-September 2008)
Nancy Lord (October 1, 2008-September 2010)

Further Resources:

• Publications by Peggy Shumaker in the Library's online catalog.
• Alaska State Council on the Arts' Literary Arts page includes a brief history of the State Writer Laureate, a list of former State Writers, and selection criteria for the position.
  

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