The City is currently seeking applicants to serve two-year term(s) as Poet Laureate.
Poet
Laureate will receive an honorarium each year, will work to increase
access to poetry, literature for those who may traditionally have less
access.
Mayor
Breanna Lungo-Koehn and the Medford Arts Council (“Arts Council”)
announced this week the creation of the City’s first-ever Poet Laureate
position. The City, in a partnership with the Arts Council, is currently
seeking applicants to fill the position. The Medford Poet Laureate will
serve a two-year term and will receive a $2,000 honorarium each year.
At its regular meeting on January 21, the Arts Council voted unanimously
to provide funding for the honorarium.
The
City of Medford Poet Laureate, acting as the official City poet, will
highlight poets and poetry, and literature, particularly working with
community members who may traditionally have less access to poetry.
Working with the City Administration and the Medford Arts Council, the
Poet Laureate will strive to increase access to senior citizens, youth,
and non-English speakers across various platforms.
“I
am excited for the role this position, and the person who ultimately
fills the role, will play in the Medford community. Though this idea has
been in the works for a few weeks, our announcement happens to come
just after the amazing poetry of Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman has
been presented on the national stage and sparked a renewed interest in
poetry and Poet Laureates. It is my hope that we can continue to inspire
and engage residents of all ages through our own Poet Laureate,” said
Mayor Lungo-Koehn.
"The
humanities have the power to help us process human emotion,
inspire creativity, and cultivate a shared experience across
boundaries,” said Danielle Moriarty, Co-Chair of the Medford Arts
Council. “The position of a Poet Laureate in Medford will hopefully act
as a bridge to help us understand each other's ideas, cultures, and
perspectives. It's exciting to see the possibilities that can exist for
our community by centralizing creativity in our City."
Applicants
must be Medford residents, or must present strong evidence of positive
contributions to the Medford community. Applicants of all backgrounds
and abilities are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit:
- A letter of intent including your proposals for expanding access to poetry within the City of Medford
- A resume
- Examples of original poetry
- Proof of residency or evidence of contributions to the City of Medford, including letters of recommendation
All materials should be submitted to Jackie Piques at jpiques@medford-ma.gov, or by mail to Mayor’s Office, City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155 by Friday, February 19, 2021 at noon.
Selection Criteria + Evaluation Process
A
selection committee that includes the Mayor, City staff, and
representatives from the Medford Arts Council will review applications
and select a finalist for the Poet Laureate position.
The Poet Laureate will be reviewed and chosen based on the following criteria:
- Quality of original poetry;
- A proposed plan for working with the community (i.e. youth, seniors, non-English speakers);
- Professional achievement in poetry and/or proof of publication of past work;
- Past work or volunteerism within the Medford community.
For more information, contact Jackie Piques at 781-393-2529 or jpiques@medford-ma.gov.
Medford city services are available to all residents, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, language ability, economic situation, or immigration status.
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