AUSTIN, Texas — The city of Austin named its first-ever poet laureate on Tuesday.
Zell Miller III will hold a two-year position to promote poetry, literacy and literary arts in Austin, as well as serve as ambassador to advance Austin Public Library’s mission.
Miller is a local poet and theater artist who explores identity, culture and the human experience in his work. His work is influenced by his personal experiences and the broader social and political landscapes.
The city established the Austin Poet Laureate Program last year to be administered by the Austin Public Library. As Austin poet laureate, Miller will be responsible for establishing and leading poetry- and literacy-related programming through Austin Public Library, including public readings and workshops, for his term, which will run from April 2025 to April 2027.
The selection of the first-ever Austin poet laureate means Austin joins other major cities in Texas and the U.S. in having a position dedicated to serving as an official ambassador of the city’s literary arts and fostering community connections through poetry.
In 2004, Miller was voted the best poet/writer in the Austin Chronicle. In 2017, he was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. He has also toured nationally and internationally as a performer, opening for artists such as Nikki Giovanni and the Last Poets.
Miller’s performance style is inspired by the Jazz aesthetic, the city of Austin said in a media release.
“Whether performing on stage or sharing his written work, he brings a raw and genuine energy to his art, drawing viewers into the intimate spaces he creates with words and movement,” the city said. “An open book, Miller loves to say that his greatest creations are his children Zell IV and Marley, and his relationship with his amazing partner, Ashley Miller.”
For more information about the Austin Poet Laureate program, you can email [email protected].