Application Period Extended for Boston’s Next Poet Laureate

Poetry photo via Shutterstock

Poets who know it,
The city really needs you—
Send in your app now!

In April, Mayor Marty Walsh launched a search for the city of Boston’s next Poet Laureate. The deadline was June 30, but either not enough people applied or those who did meet the deadline didn’t fit the bill, as the application period has just been extended to July 16.

Duties of the Poet Laureate include the following, per the application:

Present appropriate works at civic events and attend official functions as a literary ambassador.

Advocate for poetry, language, and the arts in Boston.

Enhance current Boston Public School and Boston Public Library poetry programs through engagement and outreach.

Act as the juror for the Mayor’s Prose and Poetry Program at City Hall.

Be a resource during National Poetry Month each April.

The recommended term for the Poet Laureate is four years, and yes, there is compensation involved: $5,000 per year includes $2,000 honorarium and $3,000 for programmatic and administrative expenses.

The search committee comprises 11 members, including the city’s current Poet Laureate Sam Cornish, who has held the post since 2008.

Applicants should be published professional poets, residents of the city of Boston, over the age of 21, and “demonstrate work that is reflective of the diversity of Boston.”

The complete application is online at cityofboston.gov (though it still has the previous deadline date on it). The new deadline is July 16 at 5 p.m.