(INDIANAPOLIS) – The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) is currently accepting public nominations for Indiana State Poet Laureate. One week remains to nominate a poet for the state Poet Laureate position.
The Indiana Poet Laureate represents Indiana and the art of poetry through the development and implementation of programming to the education community and general public. The Poet Laureate makes formal presentations at various educational facilities and events, pursues individual initiatives to advance the knowledge and appreciation of poetry, and offers advice to the IAC regarding ways to further the art of poetry in Indiana.
Nominations for Indiana Poet Laureate should be limited to one, single-page cover letter and a resume or CV detailing the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments. No additional materials should be included with the initial nomination. Successful nominees must be current residents of Indiana and remain residents during their two-year term of service. Nominees should be accomplished poets with experience in educational program development.
Nominations must be submitted to the Indiana Arts Commission by email, and must be received by 4:30 p.m. (EDT) Thursday, September 5, 2019. Nominations should be sent to Stephanie Haines at shaines@iac.in.gov.
All nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of literary experts representing seven of Indiana’s major institutions of higher education. The committee will be convened this fall to begin review of nominations.
Increasing the awareness of poetry and the power of the written and spoken word was the inspiration behind legislation signed into law in 2005 establishing the State Poet Laureate program. The legislation provides for the development of specific educational programming coordinated between the Arts Commission, the Indiana Department of Education, and the State Poet Laureate.
The Indiana Arts Commission is dedicated to the vision of the arts everywhere, every day, for everyone in Indiana.
