City of Redmond searching for new poet laureate

Published 12:27 pm Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Redmond Arts Commission is seeking applications for a new poet laureate.

The purpose of Redmond’s poet laureate is to broaden the awareness of poetry in the community and work with cultural, educational and other organizations to encourage the public to express their literary creativity. The city’s objective for the next poet laureate is to address literary issues such as the impacts of multilingualism, digital arts and literary arts education in the community.

Rebecca Meredith, Redmond’s 2010-12 poet laureate will complete her term in June.

“During my tenure as Redmond’s poet laureate I worked to bring as many aspects of the art of poetry as possible to the city and its people,” she said. “With the help of the arts commission, the library, the schools and many civic organizations I wrote and shared my own work, taught others to find their own poetic voices and helped the community celebrate through the creation of an anthology of poetry for Redmond’s Centennial.”

The yearlong position begins in July and is renewable for up to two years (through June 2014).

Poets can self-nominate or be nominated through an open, three-part application process.

The first part of the application process includes submitting a completed nomination form available on the city’s website, biography, CV, work samples and a personal statement. This package is due March 1.

Applications should be emailed to Joshua Heim, arts administrator, at jmheim@redmond.gov. Applications can also be mailed to Joshua Heim, Attn: Poet Laureate, City of Redmond Arts Commission, Redmond City Hall, PO Box 97010, MS: 4NPK, Redmond, WA, 98073-9710.

For additional information or to download an application visit www.redmond.gov/poetlaureate or call (425) 556-2367.