Call for Napa County Poet Laureate Nominations

Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) in partnership with the Napa County Library are now accepting nominations for Napa County’s Poet Laureate, a program of the Napa County Board of Supervisors. Nominations may be made by a cultural organization, such as a poetry society, writers’ group, college or university, local arts and humanities council, or library, or by individuals. The deadline for nominations is midnight on December 11, 2014. 

Nominees should be distinguished poets who are residents of Napa County and who are committed to outreach and the promotion of poetry countywide. “The Poet Laureate program is a wonderful opportunity for a poet to serve our community, working with our county’s officials to show the value of spoken word.” said Olivia Everett, CEO of ACNV. “It is a rare honor for those selected as the voice of public commemoration.”

Napa County’s Poet Laureate is an honorary volunteer position appointed by the Napa County Board of Supervisors for a one-year term. The next Poet Laureate term will begin in January 2015 when the current Poet Laureate Lenore Wilson of Napa finishes her tenure. 

As an ambassador for poetry, the Napa County Poet Laureate is expected to promote citizens’ awareness of poetry as well as heighten appreciation of the art form. The Poet Laureate forges a meaningful connection between poetry and the community, undertaking projects that make poetry more available and more accessible to people in their everyday lives. During the Laureate’s two-year appointment, he/she will officiate at selected public gatherings, initiate a dialogue between poets and the community, inspire others in their writing and personal expression and bring recognition to the history and tradition of poetry in Napa County.

ACNV and Napa County Library will facilitate the nomination process on behalf of Napa County. The final selection and announcement of the Poet Laureate rests solely with the Napa County Board of Supervisors. 

Nomination forms and guidelines are available on Arts Council Napa Valley website, artscouncilnapavalley.org, or from Colette Schow, ACNV Communications Assistant, who can be contacted (707) 257-2117 ext.1 or via Colette@artscouncilnv.org.

See the full call and nomination guidelines

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