City of Seattle: 2015 Civic Poet - Call for Poets

Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture is launching a Civic Poet program to celebrate the city's rich literary culture and serve as a cultural ambassador for Seattle's diverse literary community. The two-year Civic Poet position will include five annual performances at municipal events and hands-on community engagement work throughout the city, with a total budget of $10,000 distributed over two years, inclusive of all artist fees, writing/office time, performances, event costs, materials, travel, and other project-related expenses.

Applicants must be Seattle-based poets with an established body of work including published works and/or spoken word experience. Eligibility requirements include: being Seattle-based, being eligible to work in the U.S., having a demonstrated interest in promoting equity and inclusion through the arts, and believing in the power of the written and spoken word. Students are not eligible. Applications must include a statement of interest (3000 character limit), resume, one letter of recommendation, two poems, and demonstration of establishment within the field (either two proof of publications with details, two audio/video recordings of significant performances up to 5 minutes each, or one of each category).

Finalists will be asked to create a work plan to present to the selection panel. The selection panel will evaluate applicants based on artistic quality and innovation, demonstrated interest and commitment to poetry, past experience with equity work, relationship with Seattle, letter of recommendation, and demonstrated ability to engage audiences. Poets will be notified of results only after the panel has recommended a poet and the recommendation has been accepted by the City. An optional workshop is scheduled for Monday, May 4, 6 to 8 p.m. at The 2100 Building, 2100 24th Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98144. For questions, contact [email protected] or (206) 733-9591.