Palm Desert, CA

The City of Palm Desert is now accepting nominations for the position of Palm Desert Poet Laureate for the inaugural 2023-2024 term. The Poet Laureate will be an ambassador of poetry, uplifting the artistic achievement of the City and local communities through active participation in ceremonial, educational, and community activities. The selected Laureate will also raise awareness of the power and beauty of poetry, provide access to poetry and spoken word, and encourage community members to develop their creative interests.

This honorary position is open to any Palm Desert resident who meets the eligibility requirements. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age, demonstrate excellence in promoting awareness or enjoyment of poetry, and be committed to the literary community. The appointed Poet Laureate will serve a one-year term, from October 2023 to September 2024, and receive an annual honorarium of $3,500 to encompass all civic and official work performed or produced in the position.

The Poet Laureate will perform ceremonial duties at civic functions, including Veterans Day observed event, State of the City, and Independence Day Celebration, and aim to create a City poem that will be read at the City of Palm Desert’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on November 18, 2023, and published on the City’s website. The Laureate will also have educational and community outreach responsibilities, including selecting and mentoring a junior poet laureate, and proposing & executing at least one community outreach event during their term to make poetry available and accessible to people in their everyday lives.

The deadline for nominations is June 30, 2023, and the City Poet Laureate term will begin in October 2023. For more information, visit www.PalmDesert.gov/poet.