Seeking the next Po'town Poet

The Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program is seeking Portsmouth’s 9^th Poet Laureate. Portsmouth’s Poet Laureate “builds community through poetry” by creating a project and being the public face of poetry in the community. Past Poet Laureates have placed poetry and public art throughout the city, created CDs and anthologies, and engaged audiences through poetic, theatrical, and musical performances. 

Community members are invited to submit names for the next Poet Laureate. Names may be submitted through a letter or e-mail and should include the full name of the nominee and current contact information. Self-nominations are acceptable.

Candidates must live in one of 12 eligible towns (or work at least half-time in Portsmouth) and be well-suited to the role of Portsmouth Poet Laureate. Eligible towns are Portsmouth, Dover, Durham, Greenland, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, North Hampton, Rye, and Stratham, NH, and Kittery, ME.

Every nominee will be contacted to confirm whether he or she wishes to be considered. Those choosing to go forward will be sent an application packet to complete. The Poet Laureate Selection Committee will review all nominee application packets in March 2013 and will select the next Portsmouth Poet Laureate, who will be announced at a Portsmouth City Council meeting in early April 2013. The Poet Laureate serves for two years. 

Please submit nominations from now through February 15 to PPLP at PO Box 1196, Portsmouth, NH 03802 or info@pplp.org. For more information about the Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program or past laureates and their projects, visit http://www.pplp.org