Robert Kelly Named Dutchess County's First Poet Laureate

Dutchess County (NY) Executive Marc Molinaro has appointed Bard Professor and resident of Annandale, Robert Kelly, to the position of poet laureate. He is the first poet laureate to serve Dutchess County. In addition to his role as professor at Bard, Kelly founded and directed the MFA Writing Program at the college. More via Poughkeepsie Journal:

Dutchess County will hear from its new poet laureate on Wednesday.

Annandale resident and Bard College professor Robert Kelly has been named Dutchess County’s first poet laureate. He will read two poems at the State of the County Address, which County Executive Marc Molinaro is scheduled to deliver at the Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

In his unpaid role, Kelly will serve a one-year term and bring poetry to the community through a series of readings and events. Molinaro's office on Monday announced the appointment.

Arts Mid-Hudson, the Poughkeepsie-based, regional arts organization, managed the public call for nominations and invited a panel of literary professionals and community members to make the selection from 39 nominations.

“He’s a world-class poet,” said Linda Marston-Reid, executive director of Arts Mid-Hudson. “He’s very modest, too.”

Continue at Poughkeepsie Journal.