In December 2014, Ohio Governor John Kasich signed SB 84 into law, which created the post of Ohio Poet Laureate. Ohio joined forty-four other states, including the District of Columbia, that already have an official poet laureate.

The selection process for Ohio’s next poet laureate officially began on April 20, with the Ohio Arts Council at the helm. They will accept nominations for the post until May 20. Donna Collins, the Ohio Arts Council’s Executive Director, commented, “The laureate will be required to make at least 10 public readings and asked to pursue a ‘significant cultural project’ during his or her tenure.” In addition, the Ohio laureate must have resided in the state for the past three years.

Once application submissions have closed, the Ohio Arts Council will appoint a selection committee to review the nominations and applications, choose three finalists, and send their recommendations to Gov. John Kasich by October 1. The first state laureate will serve from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017 - a position which will include a yet to be determined stipend.