FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications,tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Maria Lee, Media and Communications, maria.lee@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2054
Applications Now Being Accepted for Tacoma Poet Laureate Program
The Tacoma Arts Commission is now accepting applications for the eighth annual Tacoma Poet Laureate Program. The application deadline is 11:59 PM on Monday, February 18, 2019.
The individual selected as Tacoma poet laureate will hold the title for two years – from May 2019 to April 2021 – and receive a $4,000 stipend for advancing and actively contributing to Tacoma’s literary community in meaningful ways through readings, performances, workshops, presentations, publications and/or special projects. This individual will also participate in Tacoma Arts Month each October and help produce the 2021 ceremony announcing the next poet laureate. The poet laureate is expected to determine the direction, focus, and appropriate public components for their term of service.
“Tacoma’s poets laureate have helped to raise the caliber and accessibility of the literary arts in our community,” said Tacoma Arts Commission Chair Heather Conklin. “We are excited to see the creative ways in which our next poet laureate will expand and further engage citizens in each of our neighborhoods.”
Eligibility extends to literary artists who live in Pierce County and are actively engaged in Tacoma’s creative community. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and practicing artists, dedicated to producing poetry in any form, genre or style on a regular basis. Other eligibility requirements apply.
Current poet laureate Kellie Richardson and the Tacoma Arts Commission and will host a free public poetry event in late April at which the winner of this year's poet laureate competition will officially be awarded the title.
The application and information about the Tacoma Poet Laureate Program, which was founded in 2008 by Urban Grace Church and transitioned to the City of Tacoma’s Arts Program in 2011, are available at cityoftacoma.org/poet.
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