Wanted: Danbury Poet Laureate

DANBURY, CT — The Danbury Cultural Commission is looking to name the city's first poet laureate.

The search is being assigned to a seven-member Danbury Poet Laureate Selection Committee, currently being formed.

The committee will review the applicants and offer their recommendation to Mayor Dean Esposito, who will make the appointment.

Applications, a letter asking to be considered and samples of the candidate's work for the unpaid position's first 3-year term will be accepted from July 15 through Sept. 15, 2023. The inaugural Danbury Poet Laureate will be officially announced in April 2024 as part of National Poetry Month and presented in May 2024 at the annual Literary Awards ceremony, according to a news release from the DCC.

For consideration, applicants must be at least 18-years-old and a resident of Danbury for at least 3 years prior to appointment, or have at least 3 years connections to Danbury through employment, family or community involvement, and live in Greater Danbury during entire term.

Online submissions to Coordinator@DanburyArts.com are preferred. Alternately, applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to Danbury Cultural Commission, 256 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810 no later than 6 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2023.

The complete requirements and job description may be found online here.