City of Nanaimo seeking applications for the next Poet Laureate

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 15, 2024 1:00 PM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo invites applications for the position of Poet Laureate for a two year term from 2024 - 2026. The Poet Laureate is a literary ambassador for the City of Nanaimo. Through their role they raise the profile of literary arts in our community by creating and presenting poetic works and activities that are relevant to our times and respond to our place. Nanaimo’s next Poet Laureate will engage and inspire, contributing their own unique voice and experience to collaborate and realize poetry projects for the benefit of our community.

Past City of Nanaimo Poet Laureates include Naomi Beth Wakan (2014-2017), Tina Biello (2017-2020), and Kamal Parmar (2021-2024, term ending in August 2024). All three Poets made impactful and memorable contributions during their terms, bringing talent and passion to the role.

Nanaimo’s next Poet Laureate will have a track record of engagement with the literary community and will bring their own artistic objectives, experiences and networks to this dynamic civic role. Over the course of their term, they will collaborate with City staff, and with other community partners, producing and sharing work and programming with diverse audiences. Poets are invited to review the complete guidelines including eligibility requirements and details on how to apply on the City’s website at https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/poetry/poet-laureate.

The deadline to submit applications is Monday, September 16th by midnight.

Link to Strategic Plan: The Poet Laureate program aligns with the goals of the City of Nanaimo’s City Plan by creating a vibrant culture of innovation, stewardship and partnership to encourage a diverse and healthy economy now and into the future; supporting arts and culture as an integral part of everyday life; and strengthening the creative sector by investing in organizations and people who animate our cultural spaces.

Key Points

The City of Nanaimo invites applications for the position of Poet Laureate for a two year term from 2024 - 2026.
Nanaimo’s next Poet Laureate will engage and inspire, contributing their own unique voice and experience to collaborate and realize poetry projects for the benefit of our community.
Poets are invited to review the complete guidelines including eligibility requirements and details on how to apply on the City’s website at https://www.nanaimo.ca/parks-recreation-culture/poetry/poet-laureate.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, September 16th by midnight.

Quotes

"The Poet Laureate program is a wonderful way for our community to explore connection through the literary arts. The poet appointed to this position inspires us, challenges us, and brings us together through the power of poetry. We thank Kamal Parmar for her tremendous contributions during her term as Poet Laureate and look forward to welcoming a new poet to this important role."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

-30-

Contact:

For media inquiries, please contact

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

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