The search for the next Poet Laureate for the City of Philadelphia is on! Are you an enthusiastic, established poet who lives in the city and wishes to be an ambassador for the art form? Do you know someone who is? Applications are being accepted now through http://creativephl.org until September 30 for this exciting two-year appointment.

In 2011, Mayor Nutter, along with the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, initiated the endeavor, naming Professor Sonia Sanchez (long thought to be the unofficial patroness of poetry for Philadelphia) as the city’s first Poet Laureate.  Going forward, a Laureate will be chosen every two years, giving one talented poet the opportunity to raise the profile of poetry and creative writing in Philadelphia. Along with multiple opportunities to engage in poetry and other literary endeavors through public events and community service activities, the Poet Laureate will receive a $5,000 stipend over the two-year period, will be a featured reader at the Free Library of Philadelphia, and will select and mentor the Youth Poet Laureate.

At a time when the arts are continually being cut from school curriculums and funding for cultural organizations is shrinking, the role of a Poet Laureate is ever-more vital to sustaining a thriving community which values and grows the creative minds of its people.  

Applications must be submitted by September 30, and the Laureate will be announced in January 2014. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Lindsay T. So at the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy:  Lindsay.so@phila.gov.