Paolo Javier. Photo Courtesy of the Queens Library.
Borough President Melinda Katz, in partnership with Queens College and Queens Library, has launched an open call for applications for the next Queens Poet Laureate, a prestigious three-year position charged with promoting a love of poetry and literacy throughout the borough.
Applicants for the unpaid position must be published poets and residents of Queens. The winning candidate will be a talented writer who can also demonstrate a vision for the role.
“Because Queens is such a diverse borough, the Queens Poet Laureate must be a compelling wordsmith who is capable of synthesizing the borough’s many cultures and languages into poetry,” Katz said. “In addition to being an excellent writer, the winning applicant will also have a deep and abiding love of Queens, its people and its spirit, and will be capable of engaging with our borough’s many communities to promote a greater appreciation of poetry.”
Applications for the Queens Poet Laureate position are available at www.queensbp.org/poet and must be submitted by April 24, 2015 to be eligible for consideration. Applicants are expected to submit representative samples of their poetry, including poems related to Queens. This writing sample should not exceed ten pages per applicant. A panel of expert judges will review the applications and recommend three finalists to the Borough President, who will take the final decision on who will be appointed. This year Queens Library has joined the partnership for the first time and will provide meeting space for the next Queens Poet Laureate to present poetry and conduct outreach to the Queens community.
“To have served these past four years as Poet Laureate of the borough where I’m living America’s Dream — believe me when I tell you today, and for old time’s sake, that the honor’s all mine,” former Laureate Paolo Javier said.
By Forum Staff
