Help Wanted: Poet

The City of Tacoma is looking for our next Poet Laureate.

The Tacoma Poet Laureate position was founded in 2008 by Urban Grace Church as a way of focusing attention on Tacoma’s literary talent by organizing and hosting public readings and workshops in local schools and community events. Starting in 2011, the Poet Laureate position is being administered through the City of Tacoma’s Arts

We’ve had four Poet Laureates: William Kupinse, Antonio Edwards, Jr., Tammy Robacker, and Josie Emmons Turner, who currently holds the position.

The individual selected as Tacoma Poet Laureate will hold the title for two years – from May 2013 to April 2015 – and receive a $2,000 stipend for advancing and actively contributing to Tacoma’s literary community in meaningful ways through readings, performances, workshops, presentations, publications and/or special projects. This individual will also participate in Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month each November and help produce the 2015 Tacoma Poet Laureate ceremony announcing the next Tacoma Poet Laureate.

Literary artists who live or work in Tacoma, and are active participants in Tacoma’s poetry community can apply through March 8, 2013. Applicants should be “practicing artists, dedicated to producing poetry in any form, genre or style on a regular basis.” More information about the Tacoma Poet Laureate program and the application are available at tacomaculture.org/arts/poetlaureate.asp.

So, who knows a talented Tacoma poet?