Alexandria Poet Laureate 2025 - 2028 Search |
"Call to the Community"
Purpose of the Alexandria Poet Laureate:
The Poet Laureate publicly elevates the value of literary arts, encourages creative writing and reading of literature, and enhances creative life in Alexandria.
Term of Office: April 2025 through April 2028
The Poet Laureate publicly elevates the value of literary arts, encourages creative writing and reading of literature, and enhances creative life in Alexandria.
Term of Office: April 2025 through April 2028
Honorarium: $500 each year, $500 for offering two workshops per year.
Poet Laureate’s Roles & Responsibilities:
- Promote the appreciation of poetry as an art form, encourage reading, creative writing and literacy through poetry.
- Present an original work of poetry at the City of Alexandria’s annual USA/Alexandria Birthday Celebration.
- Present original works of poetry at other community events such as the ALX Jazz Festival, the Party for the Arts, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial program as requested
- Submit an original poem and serve on the panel to review submissions for the annual “DASHing Words in Motion” project.
- Annually, write and present 2-4 poems for significant occurrences or milestones of the City of Alexandria as requested.
- Be an ambassador for poetry and literary programs in the City of Alexandria that celebrate and reflect on the richness and diversity of the community,
- Collaborate with the Office of the Arts in responding to invitations from outside agencies to participate as a guest speaker/presenter.
- Communicate regularly with the Office of the Arts staff through email and/or in-person meetings about the Poet Laureate projects and programs.
- Organize and facilitate two community workshops each year.
- Serve on the City’s Literary Task Force to select the future Poet Laureate.
The Poet Laureate is often invited to speak at area schools, libraries, social service organizations, and many other events and venues. It is the sole discretion of the Poet Laureate to determine which other events and programs they participate in or attend. Review the Alexandria Poet Laureate's Guidelines for Submitting an application.
Criteria for selection of Poet Laureate:
- Meets all eligibility requirements and entry rules.
- Demonstrates excellence in writing and reciting poetry.
- Exhibits enthusiasm for sharing poetic art with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Eligibility:
The eligibility requirements are as follows:
- The applicant is active in the field of poetry through a body of work (poems, chapbooks, or full-length collections). Could be self-published or published by literary journals and presses.
- Only individuals who have lived, worked, or studied full-time in the City of Alexandria for a minimum of 1 year prior to applying are eligible. If selected, the Poet Laureate must live, work or study full-time in the City of Alexandria through the 3-year term of service.
- Applicants must be able to fulfill Poet Laureate expectations as noted above including the ability to organize workshops and poetry readings for diverse ages and audiences.
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
- Applicants must not have been previously appointed as Alexandria’s Poet Laureate.
- Members of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Office of the Arts, or any of its Task Forces, and City of Alexandria staff and their families are ineligible to apply.
Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025, 5 p.m.
Notification: Winner will be notified in March 2025.