City of Vancouver Seeks Nominations for Poet Laureate

Outgoing Poet Laureate Christie Lee Charles. | Image: Christie Lee Charles.

The City of Vancouver, Vancouver Public Library and the Vancouver Writers Fest are accepting nominations from published and performance poets for Vancouver’s next Poet Laureate. The Laureate’s term will commence in 2021 and will have a term of two years.

The Poet Laureate, ‘the people’s poet,’ has an important role in raising poetry’s visibility through the creation of a unique literary project that engages the City’s diverse communities, and by presenting or performing in City-lead or partnered events and community public poetry functions. The Poet is free to pursue individual projects in addition to City events and public functions.

Nominations are invited for or from Vancouver-based poets and poets from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh) Nations who have a notable body of work, and who have been recognized for contributions to poetry and the City’s literary life. A nomination form from the candidate or from a peer should be submitted on or before August 11, 2021. Nomination forms may be obtained here.

The previous Poets Laureates were:

• Christie Lee Charles (2018-2020), who presented and performed at several City functions

• Rachel Rose (2014-2017), who edited a community-engaged poetry anthology, Sustenance, that connected the city’s food, newcomer and refugee communities

• Evelyn Lau (2011-2014), who held manuscript consultations with emerging poets

• Brad Cran (2009-2011), who organized the Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference

• George McWhirter (2007-2009), who edited the anthology A Verse Map of Vancouver

Details on the previous Poet Laureates are available here. The Poet Laureate was established by City Council in December 2006 and is funded through a generous endowment from Dr. Yosef Wosk, OBC.