Idaho

Current Laureate:
Kim Barnes (Official Title: Writer-in-Residence)

Start of Term:
April 2004

Position History:
The position of Idaho Poet Laureate was established in 1923 with the appointment of Irene Welsh Grissom by Governor C. C. Moore. According to the article "Indigenous Daughter," which appears in the Summer 2004 issue of Latitudes, a newsletter published by the Idaho Commission on the Arts:

"In 1982, following the death of Idaho’s second and last poet laureate, then-Governor John Evans appointed a five member panel of Idahoans to select a new laureate. Instead, the panel, joined by three western poets, recommended the selection of a writer-in-residence to serve a two-year term–a position open to writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction; and that the recipient give readings during his or her term and be paid $5,000 annually. In 1983, their recommendations were adopted in an executive order.

"With guidance from the Governor’s panel, the program was initiated, developed, and administered by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities. Financial support was contributed by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the Association for the Humanities in Idaho (now Idaho Humanities Council), and private gifts. In June 1986, program responsibility transferred to the Idaho Commission on the Arts. Twelve years later, budget cuts to the NEA forced the Commission to reduce the award to $8,000 and extend the term to three years. Selection of the writer is made from Idaho applicants whose anonymous submissions are judged by a panel of three notable out-of-state writers. Manuscripts are evaluated 60% for artistic excellence, 20% for contributions to the field, and 20% for oral presentation. The panel’s choice is subsequently approved by the Governor."

Previous Laureates:
Irene Welsh Grissom (1923-1948)
Sudie Stuart Hager (1949-1982)
Ron McFarland (1984-1985)
Robert Wrigley (1986-1987)
Eberle Umbach (1988-1989)
Neidy Messer (1990-1991)
Daryl Jones (1992-1993)
Clay Morgan (1994-1995)
Lance Olsen (1996-1998)
Bill Johnson (1999-2000)
Jim Irons (July 2, 2001-2004)

Further Resources:
Publications by Kim Barnes in the Library's online catalog.

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