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Apply to be Nanaimo's Next Poet Laureate or Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate!

Calling all poets!

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 6, 2016 11:30 AM

Summary

We're calling all poets to apply to be Nanaimo's next Poet Laureate or inaugural Youth Poet Laureate!

In 2014, the City selected Naomi Beth Wakan as Nanaimo's first Poet Laureate for a three-year term. We are now seeking applications for the next Poet Laureate (term to begin in January 2017). We are also seeking applications for Nanaimo's first Youth Poet Laureate (ages 13-21 years) (term to begin in January 2017).

The purpose of a Youth Poet Laureate is to serve as a “young people’s poet” and to raise awareness of poetry, the literary arts and the positive impact literature and poetry can have on community life.

All applications for the Poet Laureate programs must be received no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, October 28, 2016. Terms of reference for each position are attached for information.

Link to Strategic Plan: The Poet Laureate programs ensure that Nanaimo has a strong and vibrant culture which evolves with a coordinated and collaborative effort leading to greater popularity as a place to visit, live, work and play furthering the goals of the Cultural Vitality pillar of the Strategic Plan.

Key Points

  • We are now seeking applications for the next Poet Laureate (term to begin in January 2017).
  • As well, we are now seeking applications for Nanaimo's first Youth Poet Laureate (ages 13-21 years) (term to begin in January 2017).
  • All applications for the Poet Laureate programs must be received no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, October 28, 2016. Terms of reference for each position are attached for information.
  • In 2014, the City selected Naomi Beth Wakan as Nanaimo's first Poet Laureate for a three-year term.

Quotes

"Drawing on the amazing success of the City's inaugural Poet Laureate, we are pleased to expand the program to now include an inaugural Youth Poet Laureate. There are so many skilled poets in Nanaimo, and finding poets who are dedicated to encouraging and inspiring those in our community is very important."

Chris Barfoot
Culture and Heritage Coordinator
City of Nanaimo

"I'm excited that Nanaimo is creating a youth poet laureate program. We will be only a handful of cities within Canada to have a youth poet laureate. This program is going to empower the youth in our community to express artist talents though poetry."

Jerry Hong
City of Nanaimo Councillor
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • This will be the inaugural call for Nanaimo's Youth Poet Laureate.

Attachments

-30-

Contact:

Chris Barfoot
Culture and Heritage Coordinator
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7522

Print News Release

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