IOWA-Poetry.com
A New Site for Iowa Poets
Please support this site by donating and /or purchasing some of the merchandise from the links below. This site is presented by Steven Robert Heine. Heine is a disabled poet in his 70'. He was crippled in a fall several years ago and suffered a stroke in 2023. Your support will help cover costs of this site and provide more frequent updates.
Iowa Poet Laureate:
Debra Marquart
Start of Term:
May 2019
Position History:
Position created July 1, 1999; The position is a two-year renewable term. Additional information from the Iowa Arts Council:
The position is a two-year renewable appointment managed by the Iowa Arts Council and Humanities Iowa that is entitled to no compensation as a result of the appointment but whose poetic accomplishments deserve recognition as the State Poet Laureate. The position is selected by the Governor from a list of three nominees put forth by a volunteer citizen committee selected by Humanities Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The nominating committee is charged with considering the diversity of the people and poetry of Iowa.
Previous Laureates:
Marvin Bell (March 10, 2000-2004)
Robert Dana (September 7, 2004-2008)
Mary Swander (February 18, 2009-2019)
The Iowa Arts Council provides grants for artists and art groups in Iowa working in all genres.
The Iowa Poetry Association is a non-profit organization whose sole objective is to promote interest in and appreciation for better poetry by Iowans. Each year, IPA offers two workshops in the Des Moines area, where poems are critiqued by eminent teachers, editors or publishers. In addition, the IPA LIVE! online program of monthly mini-workshops and readings brings poetry learning and reading opportunities to IPA members across the state. The quarterly newsletter connects members to important updates and events. Membership is open to any individual or group with an Iowa address.
Regular dues - $8.00
Patron dues - $15.00
Iowa Poetry Association
16096 320th Way
Earlham, IA 50072
For the past several years, thousands of Iowa high school students have participated in the Poetry Out Loud State recitation competitions, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Council on the Arts.
Your high school is invited to participate!
Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful program for students. The program helps the develop Stage and speaking skills, confidence and a love of poetry. Poetry really needs to be spoken to truly be enjoyed. Poetry Out Loud is a great program for students. To learn how to get your school involved in the competition, please see the link above.How to Participate
The 2022 Iowa Poetry Out Loud Competition will be held in person at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Students will need to participate in a school or local competition before advancing to State. Teachers are encouraged to participate in Poetry Out Loud through integrating the program into their class curriculum and hosting school competitions.
Poetry Slams are events in which adults and students read and perform poetry for awards and prizes. There are many local events and even a National competition. Check with your local poetry group for the nearest Slam event and Slam schedules. Please see link for details.
Iowa City Poetry is a group that provides information about poetry events in Iowa for all Iowa poets. The group also provides information about poetry workshops in Iowa. For more information, please see the link above.
The Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature provides information and links to writing groups and writing events in Iowa. Please see link above for more information.
The Burlington Writers Workshop is a community of writers supporting writers to create their best work. The group list current membership as over 2,300 writers. The group hosts workshops in Burlington, Montpelier, and Middlebury (when possible).
The Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference is open to all Iowa writers. The Cedar Falls conference seeks to equip, encourage, support, and otherwise minister to artists of Christian faith. Please see link above for more information.
About the author: Steven Robert Heine is an American poet. He has spent his life writing poetry and promoting the reading of it. In 2011 Heine was seriously crippled in a fall. Several surgeries later, Heine lives with a great deal of pain. (He is not on any disability). He tries to provide this site as a service to the poets of Iowa..
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Steven Robert Heine is a West Coast poet & author. He has traveled extensively through the United States, including many trips to Iowa. Heine has spent his life promoting poetry; serving as founder for many poetry contests. He is the author of fifteen books, including poetry, history and his own short auto-biographies. His books can be found on Ebay, Amazon and Amazon Kindle.
Heine was crippled in a fall in 2011 and now makes very few public appearances.