Call for Nominations: Poet Laureate of Oregon

January 2010

Overview

Oregon's Cultural Partners, involved in heritage, the humanities, and the arts, and Governor Ted Kulongoski joined forces in 2006 to reinstate Oregon's Poet Laureate.  The Cultural Partners believed at that time that restoring this position and appointing a poet laureate would provide a bold and articulate voice for culture across the state while contributing thoughtful eloquence to our public life.

Oregon's Cultural Partners are the statewide cultural agencies offering leadership, programming, and services in the arts, history, heritage, and the humanities: the Oregon Arts Commission, the Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Humanities, and the State Historic Preservation Office.  Each Cultural Partner receives a designated grant from the Oregon Cultural Trust.  In addition, a portion of Cultural Trust grant funds is reserved for collaborative projects undertaken by the partners.

The Cultural Partners will use a portion of these shared funds to support the Poet Laureate’s service as an active and energetic ambassador for the cultural life of our state during the period of March 2010 to March 2012.
 

Role of the Laureate

The role of Poet Laureate is to foster the art of poetry, encourage literacy and learning, address central issues relating to the humanities and heritage, and reflect on public life in Oregon.  The Poet Laureate will provide a minimum of ten and up to twenty public readings/events in urban and rural settings across the state that educate community, business, and state leaders about the value and importance of poetry and creative expression.  Additionally, the Poet Laureate will undertake a significant cultural project or projects throughout his or her term.  One goal of the project must be to bring  poetry to people or to a region of the state that might otherwise have little opportunity to study and enjoy it.

The Oregon Poet Laureate may, and is encouraged to, coordinate his or her project with similar projects being undertaken by the current United States Poet Laureate.  Any other reasonable activities will be agreed to mutually by the Poet Laureate and the Cultural Partners.  The Governor will appoint the Poet Laureate to a term of two years (renewable after the first year) beginning in February 2010.

Compensation

The Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium of $10,000 per year during the term of service.  In addition, the planned activities and travel for the Poet Laureate will be supported through an annual subsidy  of up to $10,000.

Management

The activities of the Poet Laureate will be coordinated with the assistance of the staff of Oregon Humanities, who will assist the Poet Laureate in preparing an annual program plan to be approved by the Cultural Partners. Oregon Humanities will hold and disburse the funds designated annually for the Poet Laureate program.

Nomination and Selection Process

Poet Laureate nominations are sought from qualified Oregonians, including other poets and writers, as well as educational and cultural leaders.  The committee will not accept self-nominations, nor will committee members nominate candidates. Nominations should be mailed to:

            Oregon Poet Laureate

c/o Oregon Cultural Trust

            775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200

            Salem, Oregon   97301-1280

Nominations MUST contain:

1.         A cover letter from the nominating organization or individual describing the qualifications of the nominating organization or individual.

2.         The name and biography of the nominated poet (300 words maximum).  A competitive biography would include a summary of significant awards and published literary works.

3.         A one-page statement indicating why the nominator considers the poet and the poet’s work to be of the highest quality and representative of the State of Oregon.

4.         Complete contact information for the nominated poet.

5.         Confirmation indicating that the nominator has contacted the nominated poet and the poet has reviewed the job description and agrees to the nomination.

6.         Photocopies of Three (3) published poems by the nominated poet

Eligibility

Nominees must

• have lived in Oregon for at least ten (10) years.
• be current residents of Oregon
• be publicly recognized as a poet and well regarded for excellence in their work.
• have a significant body of published work.
• agree to the conditions and the term of the appointment.
       
  

Deadline for Nominations

Nominations must  be received by 4:00 pm, February 15, 2010.  Materials will not be returned.

Review Criteria

Oregon’s Poet Laureate will be a poet who is recognized for excellence in his or her work, is widely considered to be a poet of stature, has a significant body of published work agrees to the period of the appointment and is committed to and prepared to undertake the public role required of the Laureate.

Review Process

Each nomination will be reviewed by staff for completeness.  Incomplete nominations will not be considered.

An independent selection committee composed of poets, literature presenters, literary experts, and cultural leaders will consider the merits of each nominee and how the merits relate to the criteria.  The selection committee will rank the candidates.  Finalists will be asked to submit a brief statement describing a possible public project.

The Cultural Partners will review the selection committee's report and in turn make a recommendation regarding the laureate to the Governor.   The Governor will appoint the Poet Laureate.

Information:    

Christine D'Arcy                                             Cara Ungar-Gutierrez

Executive Director                                          Executive Director                                                                                                                                                  

Oregon Cultural Trust                                    Oregon Humanities

christine.t.darcy@state.or.us                          c.ungar@oregonhumanities.org

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