AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE
title
Appoint Donovan Livingston as the Town of Chapel Hill’s Poet Laureate for 2025-2026
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT
Atlas Logan, Director, Library and Community Arts & Culture Department
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Poet Laureate Selection Team recommends that Council appoint Donovan Livingston as the Town of Chapel Hill’s Poet Laureate for 2025-2026.
body
ACTION/DECISION POINTS
Council must approve or reject the recommendation to appoint Donovan Livingston as 2025-2026 Town of Chapel Hill Poet Laureate.
LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
In accordance with the Chapel Hill Poet Laureate program guidelines, a selection team will select finalists from applications received, interview, and then provide an appointment recommendation to Council. Both previous Poet Laureates for the Town of Chapel Hill were appointed via consent item by the Council.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The mission of the Chapel Hill Poet Laureate is to inspire creativity and celebrate community through poetry, public programs, and shared poetry experiences. The Poet Laureate carries out this mission by being an ambassador for poetry, by fostering connections to the poetry community, and by enhancing the social and civic life of the Chapel Hill community at large.
The term is a two-year appointment, beginning in January of odd-numbered years.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Poet Laureate program consists of $6,000 total, paid in two annual distributions. The funds are included in the Community Arts and Culture annual budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Poet Laureate will work with Town staff and stakeholders to jointly design a timeline of deliverables during his/her tenure. Deliverables may include but are not limited to:
• Commissions for poems on special community occasions.
• Performances at key community moments like festivals, events, and council meetings.
• Experiences for poetry to be shared in the community.
• Workshops or training opportunities.
• Regularly schedule meetings.
The Town may provide the office holder additional opportunities for contracted work outside of their official duties as Poet Laureate.
ATTACHMENTS
RESOLUTION
CHAPEL HILL POET LAUREATE_PROGRAM GUIDELINES
A resolution appointing Donovan Livingston as the Town of Chapel Hill’s poet laureate for 2025-2026 (2024-11-20/r-2)
WHEREAS, the Town appointed Cortland Gilliam to the position of Chapel Hill’s second Poet Laureate on November 16, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the second Poet Laureate’s term expires on December 31, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to continue the Poet Laureate program after the second Poet’s term expires; and
WHEREAS, the Town adopted The Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Program Guidelines on April 21, 2021; and
WHEREAS, an open application process for local poets to apply to become the next Chapel Hill Poet Laureate was held in August and September of 2024; and
WHEREAS, a Selection Team comprising a Town Council member, an Arts Commissioner, the outgoing Poet Laureate, and Town staff conducted the Poet Laureate Selection Process in accordance with the Poet Laureate Program Guidelines; and
WHEREAS, a Selection Team recommends Donovan Livingston be appointed Chapel Hill Poet Laureate for 2025-2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council appoints Donovan Livingston as the Chapel Hill Poet Laureate for January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026.
This the 20th day of November, 2024.
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