CITY OF EL PASO POET LAUREATE PROGRAM GUIDELINES   First announcement: April 2027 (and biennially thereafter) Selection cycle opens: October of the year prior to each April announcement Term length: Two years (appointee must be willing to serve two years) Term start: May 1 following the April announcement (two years)   Mission Statement The El Paso Poet Laureate Program (EPPLP) seeks to elevate local poets as cultural ambassadors, increase public engagement with poetry and literacy, and strengthen the city's cultural life.   The Poet Laureate will: • Serve a two-year term (must be 21 years old or older); • Read or present a poem at City Council during Poetry Month and Literacy Month; • Appear publicly at least once per month at city events and MCAD Signature Festivals; • Contribute to local publications and city communications; • Mentor poets, including participation in a Youth Poet Laureate pipeline. (to be established at a later date)   Program Goals • Promote poetry, literacy, and the literary arts across the city. • Build awareness and make poetry accessible to the wider community. • Celebrate poetry while honoring the cultural diversity of our community. • Use poetry to explore and communicate the city's history and culture. • Provide an ambassador who advances the city's mission for discovery, learning, and creativity. • Encourage emerging poets and create a youth pipeline. • Create a vibrant platform for diverse voices that inspires literacy through creative expression.   Selection Cycle, Timeline & Important Dates • October (year prior): Call for nominations/applications published. • Oct-Dec: Nomination intake & documentation. • Jan: Committee review & shortlisting. • Feb: Finalist public readings/ interviews. • Mar: Committee deliberation & recommendation to Museums & Cultural Affairs Advisory Board. • April: Official announcement (aligned with National Poetry Month). • May: Laureate's term begins for two years.   Eligibility Adult Poet Laureate (required) • Minimum age: 21 years old at time of appointment. • Living Residency: Individual must be living in the City of El Paso for at least one year prior to appointment and throughout duration of two-year term. • Literary Achievement: Compelling portfolio of published work and accolades. • Recognition: Evidence of awards, fellowships, or other forms of recognition. • Commitment & Engagement: Demonstrated history of public engagement. •  duties (monthly events, Council appearances). • Nomination: Self or community nominations accepted; final appointment made after Selection Committee vetting and formal appointment by Museums & Cultural Affairs Advisory Board.  

Responsibilities

• City Council: Present or recite a poem during Poetry Month (April) and during Literacy Month (city-designated).

• Monthly Public Engagement: Appear at least once per month at city-sponsored events (library programs, neighborhood events, festivals, civic gatherings).

• Workshops & Readings: Lead public readings and deliver a minimum of 6 public readings per year serving. 

• Publications & Media: Contribute at least 1-2 items per year to local publications and city channels.

• Outreach & Education: Partner with schools and libraries; mentor youth poets.

• Reporting: Provide an annual activity report summarizing events, attendance, outreach, and impact.

Application/Nomination Requirements:

• A nominating statement of 2-3 paragraphs detailing why the nominee would be a good selection for the El Paso Laureate Program. 

• Samples of original poetry (limit 5 samples)

• Resume or CV

• Brief biography (not to exceed 250 words)

• Letter of support from an educator, cultural administrator or civic organization who has worked directly with the nominee. 

• Completed applications should be submitted online. 

Selection Committee -Composition & Rubric 

Committee to be comprised of any four individuals from the following list.

• Representative from local cultural arts organization

• Library staff member

• Local educator (literature/creative writing)

• Literary professional

• Community or civic representative

Sample scoring rubric (weighting example):

• 30% - Literary craft & achievement

• 25% - Community engagement & outreach history  

• 20% - Vision for the laureateship 

• 15% - Availability & communication skills

• I 0% - Cultural responsiveness 

Process: public call - committee scoring - shortlist - committee interviews -recommendation to Museums & Cultural Affairs Advisory Board. 

Administration, Budget & Funding

Administration: The Museums & Cultural Affairs Department handles program coordination, contracts, promotion, and logistics. 

Honorarium:

• Individual selected will receive an honorarium of $4,000 per year ($8,000 per two-year term).

Policies & Regulations

Terms of Engagement:

• Individual selected for the program are not considered employees of the City of El Paso.

Code of Ethics:

• Individual selected for the program are expected to comply with the City of El Paso Code of Ethics.