The 2012 Poet Laureate Competition, sponsored by the City of Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department and the City’s Culture Commission, is now underway for residents of Stanislaus County. In 1993, the Culture Commission and the Modesto City Council established this non-salaried honorary position for the purpose of presenting original poems at various official occasions. Those nominated for this position should have reputations within the community as creators and enthusiasts of poetry, possess some public speaking ability and should be published authors. The normal term of office will be for two years, commencing on July 1, although an individual may serve up to four consecutive years (if approved by the Culture Commission and City Council).
Entries must be postmarked no later than March 9, 2012 and must include three original poems. It is anticipated that the City Council will appoint the new Poet Laureate for the City of Modesto at a meeting in June 2012.
Copies of the contest application/nomination form and policy are now available online at www.modestogov.com/prnd and at the following locations: City of Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department located at Tenth Street Place, 1010 Tenth Street, #4400; McHenry Museum, located at 14th and I Streets; King-Kennedy Memorial Center, located at 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive; Maddux Youth Center, located at 615 Sierra Drive; Modesto Senior Citizens Center, located at 211 Bodem Street and at the Stanislaus County Library, located at 1500 I Street.
Entries must be mailed or delivered to the City of Modesto’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Department, P.O. Box 642, Modesto, CA 95353, by Friday, March 9, 2012. Entries may also be delivered to the McHenry Museum, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.