title
Town of Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Program Update.
body
Staff: |
Department: |
Susan Brown, Executive Director |
Community Arts & Culture |
Melissa Bartoletta, Marketing & Communications Coordinator |
|
Overview: Staff will update Council on the status of the Town’s inaugural Poet Laureate program and propose a process for administering the Poet Laureate program in subsequent years.

|
Recommendation(s): |
That the Council adopt proposed Guidelines for the Town of Chapel Hill’s Poet Laureate program and extend C.J. Suitt’s current term as Poet Laureate to December 31, 2022.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: Council approved a single $2,000 payment to the individual appointed to the two-year position of Town of Chapel Hill Poet Laureate. The proposed Guidelines would increase that payment to $3,000 for a two-year appointment.

|
Attachments: |
|
• Resolution |
|
• Draft Staff Presentation |
|
• Draft Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Program Guidelines |
|
• Resolution appointing first Poet Laureate (2019-11-20/R-3.1) |
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S POET LAUREATE PROGRAM AND EXTENDING THE INITIAL POET LAUREATE’S TERM (2021-04-21/R-6)
WHEREAS, the Town appointed C.J. Suitt to the position of Chapel Hill’s first Poet Laureate on November 20, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the term of this two-year appointment is January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Town has no policies or procedures guiding its Poet Laureate program; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to continue the Poet Laureate program after the first Poet’s term expires; and
WHEREAS, C.J. Suitt and town staff have collaborated to draft the Town of Chapel Hill’s Poet Laureate Program Guidelines outlining its application and selection processes, appointment term, duties, and compensation; and
WHEREAS, these draft Guidelines have been reviewed and approved by the Cultural Arts Commission; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished the first Poet Laureate’s opportunity to perform duties for the Town during his tenure in the position.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council adopt the proposed the Town’s Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Program Guidelines as described in the April 21, 2021 meeting materials.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town extend C.J. Suitt’s current term as Poet Laureate to December 31, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town compensate C.J. Suitt $1,000 for this extension of his duties as Poet Laureate to December 31, 2022.
This the 21st day of April, 2021.
end
The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: Susan Brown, Executive Director, Community Arts & Culture
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council adopt proposed Guidelines for the Town of Chapel Hill’s Poet Laureate program and extend C.J. Suitt’s current term as Poet Laureate to December 31, 2022 with an additional compensation of $1,000.