2025-2027 City of Fresno Poet Laureate Nomination
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Open Call for Nominations: City of Fresno Poet Laureate (2025-2027)
Filing Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025, 11:59pm
Statement of Purpose
The Fresno Arts Council (FAC), on behalf of the City of Fresno, seeks nominations for the position of Fresno Poet Laureate. The person selected shall seek to advance the awareness of and appreciation for the literary arts and humanities within the greater Fresno community. As both a local resident and distinguished poet, the Poet Laureate shall represent and celebrate the diversity and history of Fresno and, as a spokesperson for the City of Fresno’s literary community, the Poet Laureate shall endeavor to promote the artistic achievements of the City of Fresno and actively participate in ceremonial, educational, and cultural activities in the community at various times throughout their term of service.
Term of Service
The Poet Laureate for the City of Fresno is an honorary position. The individual selected will serve a two-year term, commencing in April 2025 and ending March 2027.
Term Expectations
As a condition of the appointment, the Poet Laureate will participate in a minimum of four (4) public functions, in-person or virtual, when called upon throughout their two-year term of service. Additionally, the Poet Laureate shall aim to be actively involved with local schools, and endeavor to create or facilitate workshops and readings that will bring the Poet Laureate into contact with students and the public. To the extent possible, the Poet Laureate also will establish programs to coincide with their term of service to promote community awareness of the literary arts, and to encourage community members to develop their own creative interests.
Eligibility Requirements for Nominated Individuals
● Must be a current resident of, or work in, the City of Fresno and its environs for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years.
● Must be available to travel at least in the greater Fresno Metro area communities.
● Must be a publicly recognized published poet or spoken word artist, and have a(n):
○ proven publication history of substantial individual poems and/or poetry book(s)
○ connection to creative writer networks within the literary and local community
○ ability to demonstrate their appreciation for cultural diversity in the City of Fresno
○ established history of activity in the Fresno literary community through special events and/or educational programs, e.g. public readings and presentations, publishing, teaching etc.
Please complete all questions below. Supporting materials are optional.
Each nominator may only submit one nomination for Poet Laureate.