Literary Laureate of the North
A $1,000 unrestricted artist award celebrating writers whose work and creative lives have been shaped by Ely, the Boundary Waters, and the North.
Applications close at 11:59 PM on 9/30/26.
About the Award
The Literary Laureate of the North celebrates literary excellence while investing in the writers who enrich our region's cultural life. The award recognizes an accomplished writer with meaningful connections to Ely, the Boundary Waters, or the surrounding North, and supports them in sharing their craft with the community.
The inaugural Literary Laureate of the North will help shape a new tradition celebrating the literary arts in Northern Minnesota.
What the Laureate Receives
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A $1,000 unrestricted artist award
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Recognition as the Literary Laureate of the North
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Featured promotion through Northern Lakes Arts Association
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Opportunities to engage with readers and writers throughout the year
Community Engagement
As part of the appointment, the laureate will partner with NLAA to offer four to six literary arts programs during the year.
These may include:
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Writing workshops
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Public readings
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Artist talks
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Youth programs
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Community conversations
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Book discussions
Programming will be developed collaboratively with NLAA.
Who Should Apply?
The award is open to writers whose creative lives have been meaningfully shaped by Ely, the Boundary Waters, or the surrounding North.
You do not need to:
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Live in Ely
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Write about the outdoors
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Be a full-time writer
Connections may include:
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Living or having lived in the region
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Spending significant time here
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Returning regularly to write or create
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Drawing inspiration from the landscape or community
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Personal, family, or cultural ties to the North
Writers working in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, children's literature, essays, playwriting, spoken word, and other literary forms are encouraged to apply.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will consider:
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Literary excellence
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Meaningful connection to the North
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Body of work
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Community engagement potential
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Ability to inspire and support other writers
Application Requirements
Applicants will submit:
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Contact information
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Artist statement
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Statement describing their connection to the North
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Resume or short biography
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Writing sample (up to 20 pages)
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Brief workshop ideas
Celebrate Writers. Strengthen the Literary Arts in the North.
We invite you to invest in the Literary Laureate of the North, an annual award that celebrates and supports writers whose creative lives have been shaped by Ely, the Boundary Waters, and the surrounding North.
The Literary Laureate of the North is more than an award. It is an investment in the power of storytelling to strengthen community, preserve place, and inspire future generations. Through a $1,000 unrestricted artist award, public literary programs, and community engagement, the laureate is recognized not only for literary excellence but also for sharing their craft with others.
Your support helps ensure that writers have opportunities to create, connect, and contribute to the cultural life of our region. Together, we can celebrate literary artists, foster creativity, and build a lasting tradition that honors the voices and stories of the North.
Join us in bringing this vision to life. Your gift helps recognize exceptional writers, expand access to literary arts programming, and strengthen the creative future of Northern Minnesota.
Thank you for investing in the stories that connect us.