[Archived] City of Alexandria Searches for Poet Laureate

For Immediate Release: October 24, 2018

The City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts is in search of a Poet Laureate to promote an appreciation of poetry as an art form, promote creative writing and reading of literature, and promote literacy through poetry. The individual will serve as Poet Laureate for three years and receive a modest annual honorarium.

Individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Nominees must distinguish themselves in the field of poetry through the body of work created; be a resident of the City for a minimum of one year and maintain residency through the three-year term of service; must accept the Poet Laureate post as a ceremonial role, which includes presentations of work appropriate for all audiences; and be 18 years of age or older.

The online submission deadline is Friday, January 11, 2019. To submit a Poet Laureate application, visit the Office of the Arts and scroll to the Poet Laureate Program.

Past Poet Laureates include:

• Wendi R. Kaplan, 2016-2019
• Ryan Wojanowski, 2016-2016
• Tori Lane Kovarik, 2013-2016
• Amy Young, 2010-2013
• Mary McElveen, 2007-2010
• Jean Elliott, 1979-1999

For additional about the literary and Poet Laureate programs, visit the Office of the Arts or contact Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, at 703.746.5565 or cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, email cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.