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Arthur Rense Prize

あーさー・れんすしょう

Award presented by the American Academy of Arts and Letters every three years to outstanding poets. Prize money is $20,000.

PoetryLiterary award
Established
1998
Organizer
American Academy of Arts and Letters
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Selection Method
Recommendation
Target
Professional
Frequency
3 per year
Status
Active

Description

Poetry award established in 1998 by Paige Rense. The American Academy of Arts and Letters selects distinguished poets every three years and awards them $20,000. Winners are determined through the Academy's recommendation and selection process, with multiple prominent poets having received it since 1999. Characteristic is that it is not open to general applications but selected through recommendations and screening by the Academy.

Prize

Main Prize
Cash prize for outstanding poets
Cash Prize
20,000 USD

Selection

Selection Process

Nomination
Judges Recommendation and nomination by members of the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Review by the Selection Committee
Judges Academy's selection committee (literature section members)
Winner Announcement
Judges Selection Committee
Announcement Announced via press release and official website of the American Academy of Arts and Letters

Criteria

  • Poetic achievement and originality of expression
  • Literary achievements and long-term contributions
  • Recent outstanding creative activities and influence

Application Tips

Dos

  • Since this award centers on recommendations and selection rather than general public solicitation, confirm in advance whether direct applications are possible.
  • Organize a collection of representative works or achievement list (selected works, CV, award history).
  • Prepare materials that clearly demonstrate the originality of your poetry and sustained achievements.
  • Strive to build relationships with Academy members or recommenders in the industry.

Don''ts

  • Submitting large quantities in inappropriate formats for awards that are not open call.
  • Submitting inaccurate information or incorrect contact details.
  • Favoring short-term popularity strategies at the expense of poetic quality.

From Judges

  • Emphasis on poetic achievement and originality of expression.
  • Long-term literary contributions and recent outstanding achievements are also evaluation targets.
  • Since selection centers on recommendations and committee review, showing the overall picture of achievements is important.

Related Awards

  • American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Awards
  • Pulitzer Prize for Poetry
  • National Book Award (Poetry)
  • Poetry Society of America Awards
  • Academy Fellowship (Academy of American Poets, etc.)

Official Resources

https://www.artsandletters.org/

Past Winners

Shane McCrae しぇーん・まくれい Winner
Mary Ruefle めありー・るーふる Winner
August Kleinzahler おーがすと・くらいんざーれる Winner
Ellen Bryant Voigt えれん・ぶらいあんと・ゔぉいと Winner
David Russell Wagoner でいゔぃっど・わごなー Winner
Hayden Carruth へいでん・きゃらず Winner
Daniel Gerard Hoffman だにえる・ほふまん Winner
B. H. Fairchild びー・えいち・ふぇあちゃいるど Winner
James L. McMichael じぇいむず・える・まくまいける Winner