Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for Department of Cultural Affairs | americansforthearts.org
Celebrated poet and cultural advocate Manuel González has been appointed as the third New Mexico State Poet Laureate. The appointment was made by New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico State Library, both divisions of the Department of Cultural Affairs. González will begin his three-year term immediately.
González previously served as Albuquerque Poet Laureate from 2016 to 2018 and is recognized for his work in poetry, education, and social advocacy. He has been active in various community spaces across New Mexico, including detention centers and classrooms. At the Native American Community Academy, González employs trauma-informed and culturally grounded curricula to support Indigenous and Chicano youth. He also mentors young poets through Brave New Voices and co-founded Low Writing at El Chante: Casa de Cultura, a workshop that brings together intergenerational groups for writing and community building.
In response to his appointment, González said, "I’m honored and humbled to be named the next New Mexico State Poet Laureate. Poetry has been medicine in my life, helping me heal, remember, and reconnect with my family, my community, and my ancestors. As laureate, I want to carry that medicine across our state: to schools, libraries, pueblos, and plazas. I hope to create spaces where all voices, especially underrepresented voices, can rise, be heard, and be celebrated. This is about poetry as healing, as storytelling, and as a way to keep our collective spirit alive."
Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Cultural Affairs, commented on González’s selection: "Manuel González is not only a poet of great skill, he is a steward of New Mexico’s living culture. His work reveals the soul of our communities, and his leadership as Poet Laureate will inspire New Mexicans of all ages to find their voice and share their stories."
As State Poet Laureate, González will lead poetry initiatives throughout New Mexico. His role includes creating educational outreach programs and serving as an ambassador for the state’s literary traditions through public readings, workshops, and creative projects aimed at supporting literacy.
New Mexico Arts is the state’s federally recognized arts agency. It administers the One Percent for Public Art program and provides grants and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and artists across the state. More information can be found at www.nmarts.org.
The New Mexico State Library supports public libraries statewide and offers services for rural populations, state agencies, individuals with visual or physical disabilities, students, and researchers. Details about its services are available at nmstatelibrary.org.
