East Palo Alto Residents Encouraged To Apply To Be Poet Laureate

EAST PALO ALTO, CA — San Mateo County officials announced Wednesday that they are looking for the region's next Poet Laureate to "elevate poetry and celebrate the literary arts within the County by making poetry more accessible to people in their everyday lives." Will it be you?

East Palo Alto residents are invited to apply for the role. Applications are being accepted through Aug. 6.

“Our County is so fortunate to have many fine poets living here. We look forward to finding our next Poet Laureate amongst them. This person will continue to be an ambassador for the literary arts in our County and bring more of our local poets to the forefront,” said Supervisor Warren Slocum. “We look forward to celebrating the diversity of our County through the spoken word and literary arts.”

The position of Poet Laureate within San Mateo County has been around since 2013. Whomever is appointed will serve out a two-year term and receive $5,000 each of the years.

Among the responsibilities of the Poet Laureate are serving as a "representative and advocate for poetry, literature and the arts by participating in public readings and civic events" and "proposing and leading" a community project.

The current SMC Poet Laureate, Lisa Rosenberg, ends her term in December. Her successor will be announced in October.

Click here to learn more and apply!

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