Mayor Mike Duggan | City of Detroit website
Mayor Mike Duggan | City of Detroit website
The deadline for nominations for Detroit's new Poet Laureate and Composer Laureate is Friday, March 15, 2024. Both positions are fully funded through the Ford Foundation.
"As Detroit continues to come back, we are making it a priority to create beauty along the way," said Mayor Duggan. "Beauty can take many forms, including the spoken word and musical compositions. Establishing the roles of Poet Laurate and Composer Laureate is one way we can highlight, celebrate and develop the incredible talent we have in our city."
The previous Poet Laureate, the late Naomi Long Madgett, set a high standard for the role, and the new Poet Laureate will be expected to compose poems for special events and occasions, as well as engage with the residents of Detroit, especially children. The Detroit Poet Laureate will lead poetry-centered events, give an annual address at the Detroit Public Library, participate in community-based and national poetry programs, and write a singular poem for a year-end presentation.
"We are so proud to be one of the cities in America with an official historian who is teaching the rich history of Detroit," said Rochelle Riley, the city's Director of Arts and Culture. "This position- and the laureates – are some of the most important Mayor Mike Duggan has named and speaks to how much this administration values history and culture and the contributions of Detroiters to American history."
The Detroit Composer Laureate is a new position that will advocate for and represent Detroit's diverse musical community. The Composer Laureate will create an original composition to celebrate Detroit's musical excellence and collaborate with residents, organizations, and schools on programming and projects.
To nominate a candidate for either position, packets should be sent to [email protected] and must include the nominee's name, address, email, phone number, two reference letters, resume, samples of work, and a letter explaining why the applicant wants the job and what the job would entail during their tenure.
The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2024. For more information, contact Rose Khalifa at Metro Solutions.
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