City of Boston Seeks Submissions for the Poet Laureate of Boston

BACKGROUND

Starting Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will be accepting applications for the 2025 Boston Poet Laureate program. Established in 2008, the Boston Poet Laureate Program has been a cornerstone of Boston’s creative sector, drawing residents into the rich and transformative world of the literary arts. Poetry has the unique power to capture our history, illuminate the present, and spark hope and change for the future. The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Boston’s literary and creative communities, working in tandem with these communities to elevate the role of poetry in the everyday lives of Bostonians and inspire critical reflection through written and spoken word. 

Current Poet Laureate 

Porsha Olayiwola, Boston’s current Poet Laureate, is a kinetic force in the poetry community, both locally and nationally. In addition to being an advocate for Boston poets, Porsha’s works fiercely addresses LGBTQIA+ rights and examines Boston’s progress on issues of race and class. During her tenure, Porsha launched the inaugural Youth Poet Laureate Program, founded the Roxbury Poetry Festival, and amplified the Celtics tribute to legend Bill Russell. Porsha has collaborated with numerous organizations, including The Academy of American Poets, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Button Poetry.

Previous Poets Laureate

Haitian-born poet Danielle Legros Georges, who grew up in Mattapan, served as Boston’s Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2019. During her influential tenure, she spearheaded several initiatives, including "Raining Poetry" with Mass Poetry and the Mayor’s Mural Crew, where poetry appeared on city streets when it rained; "The Languages We Live In" on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a multilingual event celebrating translation, associated with Lawrence Weiner's mural "A Translation From One Language to Another"; and a poetry workshop program for seniors in several Boston eldercare facilities, where she coordinated and compensated teaching artists to lead classes. 

Sam Cornish was Boston’s inaugural Poet Laureate. Sam, who passed away in 2018, was an educator at Emerson College and other Massachusetts schools; he was an editor, reviewer, bookstore owner, and author of ten poetry collections, including “Dead Beats” (2011) and “Folks Like Me” (1993). Sam was associated with the Black Arts Movement and wrote extensively of African-American history in his poetry.  In addition to serving as  Boston’s Poet Laureate, Sam was a member of Boston bluegrass band, The Lemonshiners.  

OVERVIEW

The Poet Laureate will be a significant fixture in Boston's cultural landscape, creating a unique artistic legacy through public readings, civic events, and community engagement. The Poet Laureate will be able to learn, teach, and be a part of the great literary traditions of Boston. They will attend a variety of civic functions, participate in poetry events, and oversee special civic projects.  

The term of service for the Poet Laureate term is four years. Moving forward, MOAC is shifting the Poet Laureate timeline to follow the fiscal year (July 1 - June 31). While the Poet Laureate will be announced in January 2025, the official beginning of the four year term will begin July 1, 2025. There will be some programming between January 2025 and July 2025. 

A Poet Laureate may serve for one term, with the option to extend their term at the Mayor’s discretion. The role is ceremonial and not a political appointment. If the Poet Laureate cannot fulfill their term due to illness, relocation, or inability to perform, the Laureate Selection Panel shall select a new Poet Laureate to complete the term.

Responsibilities

Some duties of the Poet Laureate include, and are not limited to: 

• Present thematically relevant works at civic events and attend official functions as a literary ambassador.
• Develop public programming across the City, including workshops and showcasing events.
• Enhance current Boston Public School and Boston Public Library poetry programs through events, engagement, and outreach.
• Act as the juror for the Mayor’s Poetry Program at City Hall.
• Serve as a resource during National Poetry Month each April.
• Participate in the Youth Poet Laureate application and selection process.
• Mentor the Youth Poet Laureate through regular meetings, public event preparation, published works, and relationships with Boston Public Schools and Boston Public Libraries. 
• Work with MOAC to produce virtual and social media content.

Compensation

The Poet Laureate program is budgeted $25,000 each year, to be allocated in the following ways:

1. Honorarium will total $5,000 per year.
2. Programmatic and administrative expenses will total $20,000 per year and will be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture.

Intellectual Property

All writings, notes, and original materials produced by the Laureate (as distinct from the poet) during the tenure of the Poet Laureate shall remain the property of the Poet Laureate. However, the City of Boston will have the right to reproduce these works.

Eligibility

The future Poet Laureate will meet the following criteria: 

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Be a City of Boston resident who has lived in the City for a minimum of two years prior to nomination.
• Display a strong commitment to the community.
• Be active as a professional poet (i.e. a poet whose work has been published and or presented through a process of independent editorial or curatorial review).
• Have produced work that:
• Demonstrates poetic flexibility (i.e. more than one style),
• Reflects the vibrancy and life of the City of Boston, and
• Is significant to the citizens of Boston.
• Capable and enthusiastic to fulfill duties.

TIMELINE

Application and nomination form openTuesday, August 6, 2024Office hours/Information Sessions

• September 6, 2024, 1 p.m.
• September 12, 2024, 6 p.m.
• Nomination Form Closes September 13, 2024
• Application closes Friday, October 11th, 2024 by 5:00pm Please note: this is not a postmark date. Mailed applications must arrive at The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture no later than the end of the due date. 
• Review Process October 2024
• Notification of interview: November 2024
• Final Announcement: January 2025
• Poet Laureate Term July 1, 2025 - June 31, 2029*    

*The Poet Laureate program will move from the calendar year to the fiscal year with the next poet laureate, resulting in a 4.5 year term. Some funds will be available for the January to July transition time. 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

Application Guidelines

A Call for Entries will be distributed through various print and online media. The full Boston Poet Laureate 2025 application is available on Submittable. Community members may nominate someone by September 13, 2024, and MOAC will reach out to nominees to invite them to apply if they meet all eligibility criteria. 

All eligible applicants will need the following to apply: 

• A curriculum vitae or résumé;
• Four examples of past published work (may include compact video recordings, disc recordings and audio files);
• A proposal, no longer than five pages, that details how the laureate will benefit, represent, and interact with the citizens of Boston, in accordance with the poet laureate mission statement.
• Confirmation of City of Boston residency. 
• Eight legible copies of the application (for those not applying digitally.)

While digital entries are preferred and strongly encouraged, printed entries are also welcome and will be given equal consideration. To submit a printed application: 

• Go here for a printout of the application.
• Mail to: The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture Attn: Boston 2025 Poet Laureate Selection Panel Boston City Hall, Room 802, 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201
• All entries must be submitted in a conventional font (such as Times New Roman) at 12-point size.
• Photocopied poems from publications are acceptable, however, name and/or address cannot be included. Do not staple documents.
• If return of materials is desired, enclose a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage.
• Faxed or emailed applications will NOT be accepted.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of two-phases. After an initial screening of eligible applicants, the Laureate Selection Panel will evaluate all entries and choose their top candidates. The Selection Panel will then hold interviews with the final candidates. During the interview, candidates will be asked to read some of their works, along with answering questions related to how they will make use of the Poet Laureateship.

Contact for Questions and/or Application Accommodations 

For further information, or if you need accommodations or assistance with your application, please contact Tom Johnston in the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture at 617-635-1238 or thomas.johnston@boston.gov.

Commitment to Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 

The Mayor’s Office is committed to building and maintaining a diverse community. Qualified applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category. Statistics show that women, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and other structurally marginalized groups apply for opportunities only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. If this program excites you, you are encouraged to apply. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. We look forward to your application.