AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is now accepting applications for the Texas capital's first ever Poet Laureate. Local poets are invited to apply for the position now through Nov. 30. City officials will announce who the selected poet laureate is in April, with that poet poised to serve a two-year term from April 2025 to April 2027. Austin City Council approved the creation of the City Poet Laureate program on May 2, with Austin Public Library slated to house and maintain the program. Austin now joins most major cities in Texas that have a poet laureate — a change inspired by local poets who petitioned to bring the issue to council back in the spring. “This person promotes literacy throughout the city, specifically via the art of poetry,” Austin poet KB Brookins, who launched the petition, told KXAN in April. “Kind of like a cheerleader of sorts for the art of poetry, and also for the city’s history, art and culture. Austin really prides itself on being the ‘Music Capital of Texas’ and a big arts city. So I found that to be puzzling.” PAST COVERAGE: Austin is Texas’ only city without a Poet Laureate, but local effort wants that to change The focus of the program is centered around "promoting poetry, literacy, and the literary arts in the Austin community," according to a Tuesday release. The selected poet laureate will also work to utilize poetry as a way of sharing information on Austin's history and culture and serving as an ambassador to the public library system's goals and values through a poetry-based lens. Prospective applicants must be published poets who are at least 21 years old. They also must have lived or worked in Austin for a minimum of three years "and continue to live or work in the city throughout the appointment," per the release. Those applying must also share an application packet that features a short biography, a resume or curriculum vitae along with personal statements and writing samples. A committee will review and select candidates. Austin's chosen poet laureate will receive $25,000 a year as their salary along with a $10,000 budget for program expenses each year. Those interested can apply online.