Local Native Named Santa Monica's Second-Ever Poet Laureate

SANTA MONICA, CA — The Santa Monica City Council affirmed the city’s second poet laureate, Jay Baldwin, for a two-year appointment at its March 10 meeting.

Born and raised in Santa Monica, Baldwin is the school librarian at a local elementary school and is completing a master's degree in library science.

He succeeds the city’s inaugural poet laureate, Anne Carmack, who served since 2024.

As Santa Monica’s Poet Laureate, Baldwin’s role will include:

• Creating an annual original poem celebrating the city of Santa Monica
• Presenting two annual writing workshops or poetry readings at a Santa Monica public school, the Library, or other community event
• Presenting or participating in local events
• Carrying out activities focused on poetry or literary arts
• Organizing at least one poetry-related event each year as part of both the Library’s National Poetry Month and Arts, Culture and Creativity Month programming in April.

The public will have an opportunity to meet Baldwin at National Poetry Month and Arts, Culture and Creativity Month events throughout April, including:

• Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., The Opening Page, Meet Your Poet Laureate, MLK Jr. Auditorium and Central Courtyard at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. The public is invited to meet the new poet laureate and help craft a community poem at a special reception celebrating the beginning of their two-year term.
• Tuesday, April 14, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Santa Monica City Council Meeting, Council Chambers at City Hall, 1685 Main St. At the Santa Monica City Council meeting, Baldwin will read the proclamation they wrote recognizing April as both Arts Culture, and Creativity Month and National Poetry Month.
• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as part of the 12th Annual Arts and Literacy Festival, Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave. Join Santa Monica's new poet laureate at a farm-themed festival, featuring more than 30 community organizations.

“Our city continues to build a vibrant cultural future, and welcoming our second poet laureate is an important part of that commitment,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “I look forward to seeing how our new poet laureate will inspire residents and deepen our city’s cultural life.”

The poet laureate receives a $10,000 honorarium for the two-year appointment, supporting their role in advancing the literary arts and community engagement throughout Santa Monica.

The Poet Laureate Review Panel, which is comprised of community members and city of Santa Monica staff, reviews and makes the final selection.