AUSTIN, Texas — Austin has found its inaugural poet laureate in celebrated poet and theatre artist Zell Miller III.

What You Need To Know

  • Austin has tapped its first poet laureate, Austin native Zell Miller III

  • Miller is a passionate storyteller and performer who has long been a central figure in the city’s literary arts scene

  • He will serve a two-year term promoting poetry, literacy and literary arts in the city and working to make it accessible to all

  • Miller’s performance style is rooted in the jazz aesthetic, and his work is deeply influenced by his own experiences as well as social and political landscapes

As poet laureate, Miller will serve a two-year term promoting poetry, literacy and literary arts in the city and working to make it accessible to all. He will also serve as a mentor to young poets in the community and an ambassador to advance the mission of the Austin Public Library, which oversees the program.

Miller, an Austin native, is a passionate storyteller and performer who has long been a central figure in the city’s literary arts scene.

Miller’s storied literary career started in his home city in the early 90s. His accolades include winning the 1999 Austin Poetry Slam, representing the city at the 2004 National Poetry Slam, acting in productions at Hyde Park Theatre and directing various plays. The Austin Chronicle voted Miller best poet/writer in 2004, and in 2017, he was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame.

Miller’s performance style is rooted in the jazz aesthetic, and his work is deeply influenced by his own experiences as well as social landscapes. He doesn’t shy away from politics either, having been vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement and the Trump era in his work.

“Zell's poetry often weaves together elements of history, race, and emotion, creating powerful narratives that resonate with audiences,” the Austin Public Library writes. “Through his work, Zell Miller III continues to inspire others to explore their own creativity and question the world around them. His dedication to using art as a platform for dialogue and change has made him a distinctive and influential voice in the contemporary arts scene.”

The city’s poet laureate program was efforted by local poet KB Brookins, along with the support of the Austin Public Library and Austin City Council, which established the program last year.

Created with the goal of promoting poetry, literacy and the literary arts in the community, the program is a welcome addition to the arts scene in Austin, which was the last major city in Texas that didn’t have a poet laureate program.

A celebration and a reception for Miller’s induction will take place at the Austin Public Library’s central location at 7 p.m. on April 14. The free event will feature performances from Miller, Brookins, Texas Poet Laureate Amanda Johnston and Austin Youth Poet Laureate Ella Kim.