Guiding Principles
The Poet Laureate Initiative & Mission:
The City Poet Laureate Initiative is a joint program of the Mayor’s Office and the Salem Public Library to designate and celebrate a local poet within the Salem community. The mission of the Salem Poet Laureate is to be a champion of the spoken word art form, including all forms of poetry, to instill and inspire the Salem Community with the power of poetry, and to promote the reading, writing and appreciation of poetry amongst the general public.
Duties:
The Poet Laureate represents the City of Salem and the art of poetry through outreach as follows:
- Read self-written poems at 3-5 ceremonial events each year as invited by the City.
- Conduct 3-5 public readings and workshops each year that are free and open to the public, including visits to Salem Public Schools and the Salem Public Library, and events for all ages.
- Champion the art of poetry and the spoken word in the city in person and online.
- Encourage the appreciation of the art form and creative expression by a wide range of city residents.
- Celebrate the city’s cultural heritage.
- Attend literary and other cultural events in the city as appropriate.
- Provide updates as requested by City officials.
Length Of Term:
The Poet Laureate will serve for a two-year term. The mayor reserves the right to remove or replace the Poet Laureate at their discretion should the selected candidate fail to fulfill the program requirement to the city’s satisfaction. In the event of a vacancy, the position will remain vacant until the next application period, as described below, commences. While there is no limit on the number of times an individual may serve as Poet Laureate, the City will endeavor to appoint different poets to the role as frequently as possible.
Honorarium:
$1,500 for two years payable in three installments: $500 upon start of term, $500 at the conclusion of the first year of service, and $500 at the conclusion of the second year of service.