Lake Superior Writers Poet Laureate

Lake Superior Writers 2010-2012 Duluth Poet Laureate

2010-2012 Application Guidelines

Applications for the poet laureate post will be extended to April 1, 2010

Application and Selection Processes:
A Poet Laureate Selection Committee will review all applications and will select the Duluth Poet Laureate, whose term will be for two years from date of appointment. The Selection Committee is composed of representatives from Duluth’s literary community, related business and organizations, local colleges and/or universities, and other individuals interested in the field of poetry. The Duluth Poet Laureate Committee is organized and administered by Lake Superior Writers, a nonprofit organization based in Duluth, Minnesota. Current board members of Lake Superior Writers as well as current members of the poet laureate committee are eligible to apply for the poet laureate position, with the understanding that they would resign from those duties if selected as the 2010/2012 Duluth Poet Laureate.

Application Qualifications:
1. Must be a legal resident of Minnesota and have lived and/or worked in the Duluth city area for at least five of the last ten years;
2. Has made significant contributions to the literary community;
3. A willingness and ability to participate in poet laureate responsibilities, and the intent to live in Duluth or the Duluth city area for the duration of the appointment.

A Complete Application Must Contain:
1. A completed Duluth Poet Laureate Application Form; signed by the applying poet;
2. A signed cover letter from the applicant (no more than two single-sided pages), stating why you are interested in the post of Duluth Poet Laureate and what activities you are interested in helping organize;
3. A brief biography (one page maximum);
4. A full or partial list of your published literary work from the last ten years. Please include publishers, dates of publication, and number of pages of each of the works listed, including self-published or vanity publications;
5. Ten pages of poems by the applying poet. Each poem must be typed or printed on 8.5” x 11” paper, single-sided, with at least half inch margins and 12 point typeface;
6. A VHS tape or DVD of the poet reading one or two of his or her poems is optional. The application process will take place in two parts: 1.) review of submitted materials and selection of finalists and 2.) the opportunity for the finalists to speak with the selection committee.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Deadline for Completed Applications: EXTENDED: Postmarked by April 1, 2010, or hand-delivered to the Lake Superior Writers office (1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 132, Duluth) by 4 pm., April 2, 2010.

Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.

Duluth Poet Laureate Application Q & A

1. What is a Poet Laureate?
Traditionally, the Poet Laureate is an honorary title given to a person who has demonstrated excellence in the literary arts. Currently, there are thirty-seven states states (Minnesota will be the thirty-eighth, in January, 2008), several cities and boroughs that have an official poet laureate. There are now two more Minnesota cities with poet laureates: Winona (James Armstrong) and Red Wing (Robert Hedin).

2. What Does the Poet Laureate Do?
The Poet Laureate will work with cultural, educational and other organizations to encourage the public to express their literary creativity, through appearances, readings, workshops, and other public displays of poetry.

3. What is the duration of service for the Duluth Poet Laureate?
The Duluth Poet Laureate will serve for two years in that capacity. In the case that the Laureate cannot serve for that duration of time because of extended illness, relocation, job situation, or inability to perform, the selection committee will solicit applications once again from the public. A Poet Laureate may reapply for this position at the end of their term or at any time in the future.

4. Can a poet be nominated by an individual, group of individuals, or an organization or institution?
No. Individuals and organizations may encourage and/or support the application of a poet; however, the application form must be signed by the poet and be accompanied by a signed cover letter from the poet, stating why he or she is interested in the post of Duluth Poet Laureate.

5. For qualification purposes, how does the program define the Duluth, Minnesota Area?
It is the area that includes Duluth, Hermantown, and Proctor.

6. Are any dates of publication acceptable?
No. Only works published within the last ten years will be considered for qualification purposes. As outlined in the program guidelines, a full or partial list of works published in the last ten years must be included with the application. Forthcoming publications will not be considered and should not be included.

7. Are collaborative and/or mixed media works acceptable?
Yes. Both collaborative and mixed media works will be considered.

8. Will poems that have been only published online be considered?
Yes. Such poems may be included in the application if the publishing site(s) utilizes a competitive review and acceptance process and includes a diverse list of poets, i.e. not restricted to only one poet or poets from a particular group or organization.

More Information about the Poet Laureate

Honorarium for April 2010 - March 2012 term: $3,000

Poet laureate crowning ceremony, May 2, 2010.

Duluth Poet Laureate 2010-2012 Selection Committee:
Professor Evan Brier, University of Minnesota Duluth
Becky Ardren, Arrowhead Reading Council
Adele Kruz, Friends of the Duluth Public Library
Deborah Cooper, community representative
Claire Kirch, publicist
Anita Zager/Northern Lights Books & Gifts
Jill Hinners, community representative
Pamela Mittlefehldt, Lake Superior Writers
Jim Perlman, Holy Cow! Press/Lake Superior Writers
Penny Perry, Duluth Public Arts Commission
Amy Jo Swing, Lake Superior College
Professor Ryan Vine, College of Saint Scholastica

Suggested Duties the Duluth Poet Laureate

These are not requirements, but intended to stimulate thought.
The poet laureate may choose to devise his or her own initiatives.
1. to raise public awareness of poetry through readings, appearances, workshops, and other public displays of poetry.
2. to arrange for poet in the school appearances/readings in middle, junior and senior high schools
3. to write a monthly poetry column, in which reviews of recent poetry books, individual poems, or other poetry issues are explored.
4. organize poetry workshops at local libraries
5. create poems for specific occasions
6. help organize an annual city-wide poetry event
7. select poems for display on local city buses, billboards and/or on postcards
8. be available for a “meal-a-month,” sponsored by a local restaurant

Note: The Poet Laureate may also contract for his services (such as for public and private appearances, poetry readings, teaching residences, speaking engagements, et al.) independent of the oversight and participation of Lake Superior Writers. Compensation will go to the Poet Laureate and should be negotiated with the Poet Laureate directly.

Need info? Contact pl@lakesuperiorwriters.org or call 218-722-3094. Please allow 7 - 10 days to receive a reply.