THE City of Nanaimo is now accepting applications for Nanaimo’s first youth poet laureate.
“Drawing on the amazing success of the city’s inaugural poet laureate, we are pleased to expand the program to now include an inaugural youth poet laureate. There are so many skilled poets in Nanaimo, and finding poets who are dedicated to encouraging and inspiring those in our community is very important,” said Chris Barfoot, culture and heritage coordinator for the City of Nanaimo in a press release.
The youth poet laureate will be mentored by the city’s poet laureate, present original work to council, serve on the Youth Advisory Council, attend community events and organize community youth poetry projects. The individual will also receive a $400 honorarium ad $100 of project funding
Interested individuals must be between the ages of 13-21 years old. The applicant must commit to a one-year term, which begins in January 2017.
Nominations are also now open for the poet laureate position. The individual must commit to a three-year term, starting in January. The poet laureate will receive a $1,300 honorarium and $200 of project funding each year.
The deadline for applications in Oct. 28 and must be sent to cultureandheritage@nanaimo.ca or dropped off in person care of culture and heritage at 411 Dunsmuir St.
A full list of criteria is available at www.nanaimo.ca.