The Ohioana Poetry Award was established in 1984 and is made possible by a bequest from Helen Krout. The award of $1,000 is given yearly to an Ohio poet for a body of published work that has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution to poetry, and through whose work as a writer, teacher, administrator, or in community service, interest in poetry has been developed

The recipient must have been born in Ohio, or lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years.

The recipient must have established a distinguished publishing record of books of poetry.