Newark is a city of poets. In the tradition of the late Amiri Baraka, the City of Newark's Poet Laureate Program seeks to inspire future generations of poets in our city. The Poet Laureate for the city of Newark is an honorary position whose role is to promote the literary arts for Newark residents.

The inaugural Poet Laureate will be a significant fixture in Newark's cultural landscape, creating a unique artistic legacy through public readings, civic events, and community engagement. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

Program Goals

Through the newly launched Newark Poet Laureate Program, every two years a local poet will be selected to serve in the Laureate role. The goals of the program are to:

• Promote the literary arts and literacy in the city
• Inspire and encourage residents in their writing and personal expression
• Bring attention to poetry in less traditional settings
• Initiate a dialogue between local poets, cultural organizations, and community institutions.

The Role

Some duties of the Poet Laureate include, and are not limited to:

• Write and present thematically relevant works at civic events and attend official functions as a literary ambassador
• Develop public programming across the city, such as workshops and showcasing events
• Contribute to poetry programming at Newark Public Schools, Newark Public Library, and the Dodge Poetry Festival through events, engagement, and outreach
• Serve as a resource during National Poetry Month each April
• Participate in the development of a Youth Poet Laureate program
• Work with City's Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs to produce virtual and social media content

Eligibility

To apply, you must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be a current Newark resident and have resided in the city of Newark for a minimum of two years prior to application
• Display a strong commitment to local community (e.g., Newark residents, poet/artist community, students, or other community)
• Be active as a professional poet (e.g., has published work, has led open mic or poetry workshops, has served as a teaching artist, or other professional poetry engagement)
• Be capable and enthusiastic to fulfill Poet Laureate duties

Applicants must have produced work that:

• Demonstrates poetic flexibility (i.e. more than one style)
• Reflects the vibrancy and life of the city of Newark
• Is significant to the citizens of Newark

Selection Process & Criteria

The selection process will consist of two phases. After an initial screening of eligible applicants, a Selection Committee made up of poetry professionals, City staff, and community stakeholders will evaluate all entries and choose their top candidates based on the following criteria:

• excellence of the applicant's poetic work
• the applicant's experience with community engagement
• the applicant's capacity to encourage public appreciation and participation in poetry

The Selection Committee will then hold interviews with the final candidates. During the interview, candidates will be asked to read some of their works, along with answering questions related to how they will make use of the Poet Laureateship.

Term of Service

The Poet Laureate serves a two-year term for calendar years 2025-26. The inaugural Poet Laureate will be announced in March 2025 and the term will conclude in December 2026.

A Poet Laureate may serve for one term, with the option to extend their term at the Mayor’s discretion. The Laureate serves in an honorary capacity, and is neither a political appointment nor an employee of the City of Newark. If the Laureate cannot fulfill their term due to illness, relocation, or inability to perform, the Selection Committee will select a new Laureate to complete the term.

Compensation

The Poet Laureate Program is budgeted $15,000 each year, to be allocated in the following ways:

• Honorarium will total $5,000 per year.
• Programmatic expenses will total up to $10,000 per year and will be administered by the City's Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs.

Intellectual Property

All writings, notes, and original materials produced by the Poet Laureate in the course of their duties during the term of service shall remain the property of the Poet Laureate. However, the City of Newark will have the right to reproduce these works, with proper credit.

Timeline

• January 7, 2025: Application form open
• January 13, 2025, 6:00-7:00 pm: Virtual information session (RSVP here)
• February 3, 2025 at 11:59 pm: Application deadline
• February 2025: Selection process & interviews
• March 2025: Announcement of Poet Laureate
• March 2025 - December 2026: Poet Laureate term

About the Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs

The Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs is the catalyst for participation, education, collaboration and development to encourage and support excellence in the arts within the City of Newark. The Division is responsible for:

• overseeing the City's arts initiatives
• supporting community engagement in arts and cultural programming and events throughout the City;
• providing organizational support to existing and evolving art institutions;
• developing a world-class public art program;
• encouraging collaborative partnerships and investment in the City's artists and arts and cultural organizations; and
• supporting the creation of a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, creative economy in Newark that enlivens our neighborhoods and fires the imaginations of our children.

Contact

Please direct any questions about the application to fayemi shakur, City of Newark Director of Arts & Cultural Affairs, at shakurf@ci.newark.nj.us