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...
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