The City of Minneapolis Poet Laureate - 2025-2026

INTRODUCTION AND PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Poet Laureate of the City of Minneapolis is an official ambassador of the city’s literary culture, connecting our community through the art of poetry. The Poet Laureate is committed to promoting poetry and the literary arts in the city, and uplifts the city through their artform.

As an advocate for poetry in Minneapolis, the Poet Laureate engages the community in meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects. The Poet Laureate has a commitment to sharing the transformative art of poetry through educational opportunities. The Poet Laureate takes part in civic ceremonies in conjunction with the city, creating a unique literary legacy.

The incoming Poet Laureate of the City of Minneapolis will serve for a two year term, January 1, 2025-December 31, 2026. The Poet Laureate is designated by the City of Minneapolis and the Poet Laureate program is administered by The Loft Literary Center.

EXPECTATIONS & DUTIES

• Write a poem reflecting on the current moment of the city of Minneapolis
• Celebrate the city of Minneapolis through public service engagements, including three (3) state and/or city addresses at official Minneapolis city events per year
• Perform in a public event that features the sharing of poetry and conversation with community
• Teach two (2) classes per year through the Loft Literary Center that promote poetry as an opportunity for connection
• Develop and execute a civic duty project that engages and serves the Minneapolis community through poetry to be delivered during the Poet Laureate's term
• Advance the artform of poetry in the city of Minneapolis as an avenue for deep engagement in our community

HONORARIUM

The Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium of $16,000 to be delivered quarterly across their two-year-long tenure, beginning on January 1, 2025. The Poet Laureate will receive a budget of $4,000 to plan and execute a civic duty project of their design that engages and serves the Minneapolis community through poetry. The Poet Laureate will be honored at an inaugural event, celebrating their induction in January at Open Book in downtown Minneapolis.

ELIGIBILITY

• Have the ability to complete the mandated expectations and duties over the course of the two year term
• Be at least 21 years of age
• Be an active professional poet whose work has been published, performed, reviewed, and/or honored
• Be a resident of Hennepin County for a minimum of one year
• Have a significant connection and commitment to the Minneapolis community
• See poetry as an opportunity to engage, serve, and celebrate the Minneapolis community
• Must not be a board member or a full or part time employee of the Loft Literary Center

APPLICATION

To be considered, all applications must include the following:

A curriculum vitae or résumé;

Five examples of work. These examples might include, but are not limited to, individual poems, recorded performance, or other multimedia projects. Examples of work are not required to be previously published, but do note any details of past publication as applicable.

An artist statement no longer than 1000 words describing the poet’s commitment and approach to the artform

A plan for a civic duty project no longer than 1000 words describing a project to engage and serve the Minneapolis community through poetry. This project should engage youth and/or addresses important statewide or local issues, and the statement should include the anticipated reach or impact. 

All applications must be submitted via Submittable by November 15, 2024 11:59 PM CT.

SELECTION PROCESS

The Poet Laureate will be considered based on their eligibility and the content of their application. The selection panel is made up of members of the Minneapolis Arts Commission and other arts community representatives. The panel will be selected by the city of Minneapolis and the Loft Literary Center. The panel must come to a unanimous decision to select the Poet Laureate.

In addition to fulfilling the eligibility requirements, applicants will be reviewed based on this additional criteria:

• The literary excellence of the poet’s work amidst the contemporary poetry landscape
• The community impact of the poet on other artmakers in the city of Minneapolis
• The feasibility of any proposed public engagement projects
• The wider reputation of the poet and their work
• Their works’ engagement with the city of Minneapolis
   

EQUITY STATEMENT

Please see the city's Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging statement to see more information about Minneapolis’s commitment to fair and just opportunities and outcomes for all people. Please see the Loft's Inclusion, Equity, and Antiracism statement to see more information about the Loft's commitment to fostering intentional community.

ADMINISTRATORS OF THE AWARD

The Arts & Cultural Affairs Department (ACA) exists to advance, support, stimulate, and promote a diverse and active arts and cultural environment that recognizes and draws on the full potential of Minneapolis’ artists and arts organizations, reflects, and responds to civic concerns and aspirations, and enriches the lives of all people who live in, work in, and visit Minneapolis.

The Loft Literary Center advances the power of writers and readers to craft and share stories, to create and celebrate connections, and to build just, life-sustaining communities. We grow writers and build community by creating literary experiences that cultivate craft and connection. 

We envision a world where the power of the word liberates minds, deepens relationships, and inspires movements for people and planet.

As an antiracist organization, the Loft develops literary experiences for writers, readers, and storytellers because racism dehumanizes people, and poetry and stories deepen our connection to our shared humanity. Recognizing the relationship between race, power, and resources, we prioritize the engagement of BIPOC and marginalized communities and work for the equitable distribution of our power and resources.

Our core values are creativity, connection, justice, care, courage, and curiosity.
 

QUESTIONS

If you have questions about your application, please contact Lucia LoTempio, Program Manager at the Loft Literary Center at llotempio@loft.org or 612-215-2593. Please note that we are anticipating a high volume of applications, and may not be able to update you on the status of your application until December 2024.

If you need assistance with Submittable, please contact Beth Schoeppler at 612-215-2580 or bschoeppler@loft.org.