Poet Laureate - General Information

How does one become the Poet Laureate?

The honourary position of Poet Laureate for the City of Vancouver is a three-year term. The current Poet, Brad Cran , commenced his term in 2009. Prior to the end of his term in 2011, the City will issue a call for a new Poet Laureate for the 2011 - 2014 term.

Submissions are evaluated by an Assessment Committee comprised of representatives of the literary/poetry community nominated by the Vancouver International Writers Festival, as well as representatives of the Vancouver Public Library and City’s Cultural Services Department. Submissions will include examples of past artistic work as well as specific proposals for how the poet will create, present or perform works of poetry relevant to civic events and lives of the citizens of Vancouver.

The Poet Laureate receives a stipend of $5,000, which is funded through a $100,000 donation by Dr. Yosef Wosk. Dr. Wosk’s donation, matched by the BC Arts Renaissance Fund and held in trust by the Vancouver Foundation, ensures that the poet laureate position will continue in the City of Vancouver.

1. Eligibility Criteria

• published poets who are currently resident in the City of Vancouver;
• who have either an established body of work or been recognized for notable contributions early in their career;
• have produced a minimum of two published works (not self-published), as well as other publications that display literary excellence; and
• some of their work should be relevant to Vancouver and/or subjects that comment on the life of the City.

2. Selection Criteria

• literary excellence;
• publication of significant works (minimum two non-self-published works);
• has made a significant contribution to poetry and the literary life of Vancouver;
• reputation as a poet locally and nationally;
• impact and influence on other local writers and poets;
• viability of the proposed poetry/civic events; and
• potential impact on the community of the proposed poetry/civic events.

3. Selection Process

Eligible poets will be invited to submit proposals that should include the following materials:

• curriculum vitae;
• examples of past published works;
• proposal detailing exactly how the poet would propose to represent the City of Vancouver and interact in civic life;
• a proposal detailing the poet's potential special civic project; and
• confirmation of place of residence.

Nominations will also be accepted where the nominee has agreed to the nomination in writing and materials are provided as outlined above.

4. Duties

The Poet Laureate will be expected to:

• participate in the literary life of the City;
• produce new original works during their term that reflect or represent ideas and issues of importance to the people of Vancouver;
• present, in person, works of significance at civic events, City Council meetings, or official civic functions;
• read from their work at the annual City Vancouver Arts Awards and other civic cultural events; and
• such other duties as are proposed in their submission and are deemed viable by the Assessment Committee.

5. Term and Remuneration

The Poet Laureate will be selected for a period of three years commencing in Fall 2011.  A stipend of $5,000 per year will be provided.

6. Intellectual Property

All writing, notes and original materials produced during the tenure of the Poet Laureate will remain the property of the Poet Laureate.

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