Applications are being accepted from authors hoping to be the next Washington State Poet Laureate.

The position serves to build awareness and appreciation of poetry — including Washington’s legacy of poetry — through public readings, workshops, and presentations in communities throughout the state, program officials said.

The new laureate will serve from April 15, 2021 to April 14, 2023.

The position is sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission and Humanities Washington, with the support of Gov. Jay Inslee, officials said.

“Our goal was to increase diversity, lower barriers, and clarify expectations about the position,” said Karen Hanan, executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission.

Guidelines for the position were reportedly revised over a six-month period after extensive input using a statewide survey, focus groups, extensive input from poets, cultural leaders, and past state laureates.

"The new guidelines encourage diverse poets from different geographies and backgrounds to apply,” said Julie Ziegler, Humanities Washington’s executive director.

Selection of Washington’s poet laureate is governed by state regulation and coordinated by ArtsWA and Humanities Washington. The state poet laureate is appointed by the governor to serve a two-year term. To be considered, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and submit an application online (www.arts.wa.gov/washington-state-poet-laureate).

Applications must be submitted electronically by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

The current poet laureate is Claudia Castro Luna. A Washington State Book Award-nominated poet and creator of Washington Poetic Routes, and the "One River, Many Voices" series of readings along the Columbia River, Castro Luna has held hundreds of poetry workshops and readings across Washington since February 2018.