San Luis Obispo County is looking for its first-ever Poet Laureate. The position, as it currently stands, is a City of San Luis Obispo-based focus, but that will all change with the next two year term starting in 2015.
ARTS Obispo is in charge of the nomination process. Nominees must be a resident of the county, have a significant body of published and unpublished works, and the ability to represent the county at various events.
“We are honored to administer the Poet Laureate program, providing poets with the opportunity to receive recognition for their art form, and providing residents with access to great literary works created here in SLO County,” said Jenna Hartzell, Executive Director of ARTS Obispo.
The poet laureate acts as an ambassador of poetry and literary arts, while working to inspire a new generation of writers.
The nomination period is open from April 1 to June 30, 2014. Information can be found on the ARTS Obispo webiste or by emailing programs@artsobispo.org.
Currently, Jerry Douglas Smith is serving as the 2013/2014 City of San Luis Obispo Poet Laureate.