City of Nanaimo calls for Poet Laureate Nominations

The City of Nanaimo would like to invite nominations for our city’s first Poet Laureate for a 3 year term beginning in 2012. Nominations will be accepted until 2012-JAN-31, with the selection being made by the end of February, 2012. Self nominations will be accepted.

The purpose of a Poet Laureate for Nanaimo is to serve as a “people’s” poet and to raise awareness of poetry and the literary arts and the positive impact literature and poetry can have on community life. A Poet Laureate will serve a 3 year term. It will be an honorary position with up to $1,000 allocated annually for expenses.

Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate will be selected on the basis of the excellence of the poet’s work demonstrated by peer and/or public recognition; publication of at least one book of poetry and other publications that display literary excellence; The poet must live and/or work in the City of Nanaimo and have made a significant contribution towards enriching the literary life of Nanaimo. They must also possess a good knowledge and understanding of the history and cultural life of the city.

Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate will be expected to participate in the literary life of the city and serve as a literary ambassador for Nanaimo. They will participate in important city events by presenting works that are of special significance to Nanaimo. They would be expected to produce at least one original work per year of their 3 year term.

The selection and appointment process will involve a special selection committee made up of 2 members of the Nanaimo Cultural Committee, 2 peer representatives from literary community (poets, writers- from the Vancouver Island Regional Library) and 1 representative from the Vancouver Island University, Creative Writing Faculty. Once a candidate is identified they will be recommended to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission and City Council for appointment.

Becoming Nanaimo’s first Poet Laureate is a significant honour and it will be a unique opportunity to promote poetry and the literary arts to all the citizens of Nanaimo.

Nomination forms are available online at


For more information or if you would like the nomination form sent to you please contact Bob Kuhn 250-755-7512 /

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