2023-2025 Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Governor Jared Polis introduced award-winning poet Andrea Gibson as Colorado’s new Poet Laureate.
“Andrea Gibson is an inspiring Colorado artist. Colorado’s Poet Laureate is an ambassador of the arts and someone who can truly share their talents while inspiring the artistic abilities within ourselves. Andrea’s voice holds a fierce conviction in inspiring others to pursue art and take action toward solving social issues and they personify our Colorado for All spirit. I know Andrea will be a strong advocate for the arts and art education as a way to bring us together, has a strong desire for unity and to bring people together through poetry,” said Governor Polis.
Gibson is the author of six full-length collections of poetry. They are a two-time winner of the Independent Publishers Award, a three-time Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist, and the winner of the first Women’s World Poetry Slam. In 2017, Penguin Books published Take Me With You, an illustrated collection of Gibson’s most beloved quotes, and in 2019, Chronicle Books published their first nonfiction endeavor, How Poetry Can Change Your Heart. As the new Colorado Poet Laureate, Gibson plans to help other people fall in love with poetry.
“An artist’s job is to redirect awe, astonishment, and wonder back into people, something we were born with but culture takes out of us as we grow older,” said Gibson. A lot of their work today also includes their treatment journey after being diagnosed with Ovarian cancer two years ago. “I spent so much time writing about what was wrong with the world, now I write about what I dream the world can be.”
To request Andrea for an event, please contact info@andreagibson.com. As Andrea is currently undergoing chemotherapy and is immunocompromised, all scheduled events must be virtual or outdoors at this time. Click below to learn more about Andrea Gibson and read some of their recent work.
Andrea Gibson is Colorado’s 10th Poet Laureate, following in the footsteps of these greats:
Congratulations to the 2023-2027 finalists!
Colorado Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate position was created to promote an appreciation of poetry in Colorado, to honor outstanding Colorado poets, and to advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature by participating in readings and other events at schools, libraries, literary festivals, and the State Capitol.
The selection of the Poet Laureate is based on artistic excellence, a demonstrated history of community service in the advancement of poetry, and the ability to present poetry effectively. A panel of former laureates and poetry leaders review nominations and make recommendations to the Governor, who makes the final selection.
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