Santa Clara County Poet Laureate

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On November 18, 2008, the Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of the honorary post of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate. Arts Council Silicon Valley, the official state and local partner of Santa Clara County with California Arts Council, is administering this program in partnership with the Santa Clara County Library.

The Poet Laureate’s role is to elevate poetry in the consciousness of Santa Clara County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts.

The Poet Laureate will be an honorary two-year position.  During that term, the Poet Laureate will act as an advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts, and contribute to Santa Clara County’s poetry and literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events. The Poet Laureate also will propose and lead a community project.

The Poet Laureate will not be considered an employee of Santa Clara County and will continue to have individual pursuits.

Applications are invited from poets who have resided in Santa Clara County for at least five years and have been published or recognized for poetry and literary contributions.

Eligibility Criteria for the Santa Clara County Poet Laureate

• The Poet Laureate will be available to serve a two-year term
• The individual will be a Santa Clara County resident of at least five years who has been published or recognized for poetry and literary contributions
• The individual’s poetic interests respond to, or represent, the diversity of arts and cultures in Santa Clara County
• The individual has demonstrated a commitment to and passion for poetry and embraces the opportunity to engage in civic discourse

Duties of Santa Clara County Poet Laureate 

1) Represent Santa Clara County and the art of poetry through outreach related to poetry

2) Present appropriate works at the annual State of the County ceremony and at least four selected County-sponsored events, dedications, or memorials per year

3) Act as a resource for poetry and literary activities of the Santa Clara County Library

4) Participate in National Poetry Month events and activities

5) Undertake a project that will make poetry more available and accessible to people in their everyday lives

The Poet Laureate will receive a modest honorarium.

Term of Office:          April 1, 2009 – April 1, 2011

Deadline for Applications:      Has passed.

For more information, please contact Arts Council Silicon Valley, 4 North Second Street, Suite 500, San Jose, CA 95113, laureate@artscouncil.org, 408-998-2787.