CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
2017-2018 MAMAKATING POET LAUREATE
“The Spirit of Mamakating”
The Mamakating Library in association with the Town of Mamakating seeks applications for the
inaugural 2017-2018 Mamakating Poet Laureate. Applications are welcome from individual
poets seeking the position. A complete application must be sent to the Mamakating Poet
Laureate Committee: [email protected] by the deadline of midnight May 31, 2017.
PURPOSE
The Mamakating Poet Laureate will be an ambassador and leading voice for encouraging
appreciation of reading and writing poetry in the town of Mamakating. They will engage a
variety of constituencies in enriching the lives of residents by sharing and promoting poetry
through conversations, readings, public appearances, workshops, and digital/social media. The
Poet Laureate will develop a special project, such as an event, publication, or program, which
highlights poetry in a public way.
TERM OF SERVICE
The Poet Laureate’s term of service is one year – from 1 July 2017 to 31 June 2018.
RESPONSIBILITIES
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Serve as Poet Laureate for one year
Assume the role of literary ambassador for the Town of Mamakating
Produce at least 3 original works during their term as Poet Laureate
Design & execute community project promoting appreciation of reading/writing poetry
Appear & present works of significance to the citizens of Mamakating
o Maximum of 6 appearances over 12 month term
o At least 1 @ Mamakating Town Council
o At least 4 @ Library or community sponsored events
Participate in PR activities (ie, media interviews)
Poet Laureate is encouraged to present/perform works of other poets, if content/subject is
relevant to citizens of Mamakating
Prepare & provide written reports of activities to Poet Laureate Committee
Participate in selecting succeeding Poet Laureate and guide transition into that role
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
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Applicant must be
o Resident (full or part-time of Mamakating)
o Have a body of literary work
o Available for one year appointment, regardless of employment or residence status
o Willing to create & lead a community project anchored with poetry
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
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Application must include
o Statement of interest
o Biography, including community experience (maximum 1 page)
o 3 sample poems (one of them specific to “The Spirit of Mamakating)
o Description of proposed community project (maximum 1 page)
 Examples of possible projects include:
 Lead creation of a group poem to represent the town
 Work with musicians to create poetry and music pieces to perform
 Record videos of town residents reading their own poetry
 Work with painters to create a mural or other artistic project
including images and words
 Publish a book of collected works of Mamakating poets
 Develop poetry lessons for elementary school classrooms and
Mamakating Library summer reading groups
RECOGNITION
Poet Laureate will receive public recognition plus an honorarium (amount to be announced) for
the year and expenses (up to an amount to be announced) for a community project.
SELECTION PROCESS
A judging panel will review all submitted materials to arrive at three (3) finalists. Finalists will
be interviewed in person and the judging panel will make a final decision about the winner. One
winner will be announced on July 1, 2017. There will be a public induction ceremony at the
Mamakating Town Hall and a subsequent event at Mamakating Library.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
In accordance with Federal civil rights laws, the Town of Mamakating, Mamakating Library
District, and the Poet Laureate Committee will not discriminate against any applicant to the
program based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender
expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income
derived from a public assistance program or political beliefs.