The Nebraska State Poet is a designation that recognizes and honors a Nebraska poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The State Poet serves a five-year renewable term as an advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature in Nebraska. The duties of the State Poet include giving public presentations and readings, leading workshops and discussions, and providing other outreach in schools, libraries, literary festivals, and various venues in rural and urban communities throughout the state. To accomplish this, the State Poet joins with the Nebraska Art Council’s Nebraska Touring Program and the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The first poet to hold the position of Nebraska State Poet was William Kloefkorn, who served for 29 years, until his death in May 2011.
The Nebraska State Poet is selected based on artistic excellence, exemplary professionalism demonstrated by significant publications and special honors, an established history of community service in the advancement of poetry in Nebraska, and the ability to present poetry and interact effectively with a public audience. In addition, the Nebraska State Poet must be a legal, full-time resident for at least three years prior to the application deadline and must maintain Nebraska residency during the full term of office.
About Jewel Rodgers
Jewel Rodgers has been a spoken word poet for more than a decade and has performed in schools, festivals, community settings, conferences, public events and other venues. She has written and performed for the city of Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), University of Nebraska – Omaha (UNO) and upon request for public officials like Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, Congressman Don Bacon and Gov. Jim Pillen.
Rodgers has been a three-time Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards nominee for best performance, and a three-time TEDx speaker. She has received numerous accolades, including being a 2022 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, a 2023 Andy Warhol Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2024 finalist in the Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam. She is also a teaching artist with the Nebraska Writers Collective and cohosts the Nebraska Poetry Society’s monthly Vocal Fry Open Mic. Some of her works include, Impossible Ain’t Nothin’, King’s Legacy and They Love You.
“To me, this appointment is not about being the best poet there ever was, but rather, expanding where, how and to whom poetry can matter,” said Rodgers.
In her letter of consideration, Rodgers said she hoped to use her role as state poet to expand on her experiences using the spoken word to make poetry accessible and relevant to all Nebraskans. She said she has three key initiatives: education through poetry, increasing access to diverse communities and nurturing more Nebraska writers.
“Jewel has received numerous honors and awards for her presentations. As someone who excels at speaking, as well as writing, she will be a great ambassador for Nebraska in the role of state poet,” said Gov. Pillen. “Jewel joins the ranks of other notable writers and poets from Nebraska who have distinguished themselves and inspired future generations through their creativity.”
Rodgers received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). She has a master’s degree in real estate development from New York University.
