New Poet Laureate Sought For Westport

Press release from the Town of Westport:

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC) has announced a search for the town's second Poet Laureate, whose 2-year term will begin on July 1.

According to a news release provided by the town, WAAC initiated the Town Poet Laureate position in 2019. The inaugural laureate, Diane Lowman, will have served a 3-year term on June 30, extended a year due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

During her tenure, Lowman recited and curated poetry at town ceremonies and events, the schools, the Center for Senior Activities, the library and arts events. Early in the coronavirus crisis, she launched a lawn sign campaign with haikus and images, to help raise spirits in town.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Westport as poet laureate," Lowman said in a news release. "My time in the position has only strengthened my conviction about the breadth and depth of kindness and creativity in this community. I hope I have given back even a fraction of the joy that this experience has brought to me."

The town's poet laureate serves as an ambassador for both the town and the literary form, helping to celebrate and continue the town's vibrant literary history. The first selectwoman's office appoints the poet laureate, WAAC administers the program.

The poet laureate's objectives include, but are not limited to:

• Promote poetry as a form of communication, inspiration and entertainment for local residents.
• Participate in the Connecticut Poet Laureate group to create and participate in programs throughout the state.
• Expand access to and create connection through poetry.
• Elevate awareness of and appreciation for all forms of poetry.
• Advocate for poetry, literature and the arts.
• Contribute to the town's literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events.

Candidates should be 21 years of age or older, live in Westport, and have a wide range of relevant knowledge and experience. They must be comfortable with public speaking and willing to work collaboratively with the town school district, library and other cultural organizations to develop and present poetry-related activities and events.

The candidate must have adequate time and flexibility to complete these and other requirements of the position. The Town of Westport Poet Laureate is an honorary, non-compensated two-year position.

The deadline for submitting applications and supporting materials is April 15. A committee made up of representatives from the Westport Schools, the Westport Library and WAAC will review the applications and interview finalists as part of the selection process. The new poet laureate will be announced June 1.

For more information and the application packet, visit www.westportarts.org.

This press release was produced by the Town of Westport. The views expressed here are the author’s own.