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Are you passionate about poetry and eager to share your love for the literary arts with your community? If so, the Clark County Poet Laureate (CCPL) program offers an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact while pursuing your craft. Established in 2015, the CCPL program has been instrumental in promoting poetry and creative writing throughout Clark County in Nevada, with past laureates making significant contributions to the literary scene.
About the Clark County Poet Laureate Program
The CCPL program was founded to foster a love and appreciation for literary arts within the community. It aims to support writers at all stages of their careers and across various stages of the writing process. The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry and creative writing, engaging the community through workshops, readings, panels, and public appearances. The program's mission is broad, encompassing outreach to new audiences and providing opportunities for community members to engage with the literary arts in meaningful ways.
From 2023-2024 alone, approximately 4,000 community members participated in free writing workshops, poetry readings, panels, and other special events organized by the CCPL. This is a testament to the program's reach and the significant role it plays in bringing poetry to the people of Clark County.
Role and Responsibilities of the Poet Laureate
As the Clark County Poet Laureate, you will have the opportunity to lead and participate in various events that promote poetry within the community. These include conducting workshops, participating in readings, organizing panels, and making public appearances. Additionally, you will serve as a literary ambassador, tasked with bringing the art form to new audiences in coordination with Public Arts staff.
One of the key responsibilities is ensuring that the poetry read and shared at CCPL events is appropriate for all ages, with an emphasis on inclusivity and respect. Poems that promote homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, or any form of hate speech are strictly prohibited.
The Poet Laureate will be compensated over three fiscal years, starting in October 2024 and ending in September 2026, with payments tied to specific program milestones. The total budget for the project is as follows:
FY2025 (October 2024 - June 2025): $6,500
FY2026 (July 2025 - June 2026): $6,000
FY2027 (June 2026 - September 2026): $3,500
Payments will be issued upon the completion of milestones such as the submission of a calendar of events, monthly program reports, and an original poem submitted to the County.
How to Apply
To apply for the position of Clark County Poet Laureate, applicants must submit the following documents in a single PDF file:
Cover Letter: A one-page introduction highlighting your interest in the position and what you bring to the role.
Experience (CV or Resume): A two-page document listing your major publications, educational background, and relevant experience in the literary arts.
Previous Work Examples: Submit 5-7 pages of your poetic works, with each page titled and numbered. Ensure that these represent your best work and showcase your range as a poet.
Project Proposal: A one-page proposal outlining a project you intend to lead during the 2024-2026 service term. This could include workshops, readings, panels, or other events that benefit poetry, creative writing, and the community. Be sure to include a budget and explain how your project aligns with the program's mission.
The application process will take place in two phases:
Phase 1: Public Arts staff will screen applicants for eligibility. Eligible applicants will be scored and ranked by an independent panel of diverse community members. Up to five semi-finalists may be invited for an in-person interview on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, or Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
Phase 2: Based on the panel’s review, the applicant with the best interview performance will be invited to fill the position and enter into a contract.
The deadline to submit your application is August 31, 2024, by 11:59 PM PST. Applications must be submitted online via the provided link.
Conclusion
The Clark County Poet Laureate program offers a unique platform for poets to make a lasting impact on their community while advancing their own literary careers. If you’re passionate about poetry and eager to share your work with a broader audience, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Take the first step by preparing your application and submitting it by the deadline. Your voice could be the next to inspire and uplift the Clark County community through the power of poetry.
About Author
Jocelyn Paige Kelly is not your typical writer. She’s a Clarion West grad, short story writer, and poet. If you’re lucky you might catch her on Twitter tweeting as@jossome or you can read one of her many published short storieshere. She has an interesting history of writing blogs for various companies from a psychic network to a supplements company. Nothing, except her kidneys, phase her.
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