• Mon, Mar 27 at 2:18 PM

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 27, 2023

    Contact: Steve Smirti, Director of Communications (ssmirti@medford-ma.gov), 781-885-4296

     

     

    Medford Accepting Applications For Next Poet Laureate

     

    The City is currently seeking applicants to serve two-year term(s) beginning

    July 2023

     

    Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium each year, will work to increase access to poetry and literature for those who may traditionally have less access.

     

    (MEDFORD)—The City, in partnership with the Medford Arts Council, is currently seeking applicants to fill the position of Poet Laureate, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced. The Medford Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term from July 2023 to June 2025 and will receive a $2,000 stipend each year.

     

    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 to see a different perspective that the new Poet Laureate will bring to our community and thank our current and first-ever Poet Laureate Terry E. Carter for his passion and dedication over the past two years,” said Mayor Lungo-Koehn. “I hope that whoever holds this position next will continue to be a source of creativity, inspiration, and promote accessibility to this art.”

     

    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 apply through this link. Be prepared to submit the following:

    1. A letter of intent including your proposals for expanding access to poetry within the City of Medford
    2. A resume
    3. Examples of original poetry
    4. Proof of residency or evidence of contributions to the City of Medford, including letters of recommendation

    If you need to send the materials via mail or deliver in person: Attn Steve Smirti, Room 202, Medford City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA 02155.

     

    Application materials are due by April 24.

     

    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 Steve Smirti at ssmirti@medford-ma.gov.

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    Steve Smirti

    Director of Communications | Office of Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn

    Medford City Hall

    85 George P Hassett Dr, Medford, MA 02155

    781-393-2529 (office)

    781-885-4296 (mobile)

    ssmirti@medford-ma.gov

    www.medfordma.org

    Please note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers most electronic communications to and from public employees to be public records and disclosable under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its regulations. *Please consider the environment before printing this email.* 

     

    Please note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers most electronic communications to and from public employees to be public records and disclosable under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its regulations. *Please consider the environment before printing this email.*