Arts Commission Announces Poet Laureate Competition

The Osawatomie Arts Commission is thrilled to announce the latest arts and culture project for the Osawatomie community: an official Poet Laureate and Poet Laureate Junior program!

History of the Role

An internationally recognized role, poet laureates are traditionally poets who have been officially appointed by a government or institution to write poems for special occasions or to advocate for poetry and the importance of reading and writing it. The United States' Poet Laureate role begun in 1937, and was formerly known as the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress before a formal change in title was developed and authorized by an Act of Congress in 1985. Appointed by the Librarian of Congress for a two-year term, the poet laureate will often focus their term on literacy outreach, special poetry projects, and other advocacy for poetry and literature. Young writers are eligible for nomination to the Youth Poet Laureate position, which is sponsored by the National Youth Poet Laureate program that "identifies and celebrates exceptional youth poets who use their voice to inspire change." (NYPL)

Osawatomie's Poet Laureate and Poet Laureate Junior

Osawatomie Arts Commission members are excited to embark on the community's first celebration of literature with this inaugural competition. Once awarded, the adult Poet Laureate and the Poet Laureate Junior will be tasked with assisting the Osawatomie Arts Commission in celebrating and advocating for the written word, and may be asked to attend or speak at other events throughout the year or to produce and perform original material at limited events (such as the Arts Commission's annual Porchfest community event, a City Council meeting, etc.). Laureates will serve one-year terms and may assist the Commission in evaluating material for their successors.

Finalists selected during the competition will be invited to read selected pieces from their portfolios at an annual spring reception, the culmination of which will be the announcement of the new Poet Laureate and Poet Laureate Junior for the following year.

Eligibility and How to Enter

The Poet Laureate role is open to any adults (aged 18+) who have a significant tie to the Miami County, Kansas, area and who would be willing and able to appear in Osawatomie for at least two events during their term. Poets interested in becoming the first Osawatomie Poet Laureate must submit a portfolio of 5-7 original pieces, totaling no more than ten pages. Portfolios must include a cover page with the writer's contact information, plus a brief statement that indicates their relationship to the Miami County area (one to three sentences). Portfolios must be original work, and there is no limit to the structure, content, or form of poetry submitted.

For young writers, the Poet Laureate Junior role is open to any student under age 18 within USD #367 or within the Osawatomie homeschool community. Interested poets must submit a portfolio of 5-7 original pieces, totaling no more than ten pages. Portfolios must include a cover page with the writer's contact information, age, and the contact information for a parent or guardian. Portfolios must be original work, and there is no limit to the structure, content, or form of poetry submitted.

Portfolios must be submitted by March 1, 2025, to Commission liaison Sam Moon to be considered eligible. Portfolios will not be returned so please do not submit original copies of any work.

• Digital portfolios must be submitted in a Word or PDF document and should be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line "Poet Laureate Portfolio."

• Printed copies may be submitted at Osawatomie Public Library during regular business hours. Printed copies must be TYPED and should include all required cover page information. The Commission will not accept handwritten portfolios.

Process

Portfolios will be reviewed by the Osawatomie Arts Commission during the month of March and selected finalists will be invited to perform pieces at the spring Laureate Reception, hosted in April in celebration of National Poetry Month. The reception will culminate with the award of Poet Laureate and Poet Laureate Junior for 2025-2026, and awardees will receive a cash prize, a keepsake commemorative proclamation from Osawatomie City Council, and a custom plaque. Awardees will also be invited to make a special appearance at a meeting of Osawatomie City Council to join members of the Arts Commission and the governing body in officially recognizing National Poetry Month in the City of Osawatomie.

This year's Laureate Reception is planned for Sunday, April 6th, 2025, from 4pm to 6pm at Faith Community Church in downtown Osawatomie. Light refreshments will be provided. More information on the event will be released closer to the date, and finalists will be contacted directly by the Commission.

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For more information on the Poet Laureate program or the Osawatomie Arts Commission, please contact:

Sam Moon
Director of Community Affairs
[email protected]
(913) 755-2146 ext. 220