On February 1, 2024, Mayor Lucas announced Melissa Ferrer Civil as Kansas City's first Poet Laureate ever!

The Kansas City Poet Laureate is an advocate for the arts in Kansas City. The appointed Poet Laureate encourages the teaching, reading, and writing of poetry as an avenue for education, culture, and entertainment in Kansas City.

The Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term and will be awarded an honorarium of $5,000. The Kansas City Poet Laureate will promote the art of poetry with this platform through public appearances, teachings, readings, and media. Continuing to integrate poetry into Kansas City’s growing arts scene, the Poet Laureate will work with local organizations to continue to enrich the public. The Poet Laureate will also work to inspire the next generation of emerging poets, writers, and artists.