Poet Laureate Program Guidelines

Dallas Poet Laureate

Dallas Public Library In-Resident Poet Position

Contracted by the Dallas Public Library (DPL) and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture (OAC)

Position Background:

Dallas Public Library (DPL), the Office of Arts and Culture (OAC), and Deep Vellum created and launched the Dallas Poet Laureate Program in 2021 and named the first Dallas Poet Laureate in April 2022. The Dallas Poet Laureate works as an artist-in-residence at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library for a two-year term. At the end of the term, Deep Vellum will publish a collection of the poet laureate's works.

A local poet is honored with the poet laureate title to recognize a career in writing exemplary poetry and their role in sharing poetry with the greater community. The Poet Laureate will act as an ambassador of the literary arts and the City of Dallas by creating and reading poems and presenting their poems at public schools, city council meetings, county board meetings and other community organizations.

Program Goals:

The goal of the poet laureate program is to encourage greater literary awareness in the Dallas community. It seeks to engage diverse voices, activate the community and broaden perspectives in shaping and furthering the literary arts and culture through creative expression.

Review Process:

Selected through an open-call process, the next Dallas Poet Laureate will go through a two-step selection process. A panel of judges with the combined knowledge of creative writing, public programs and the City of Dallas will review all proposals/applications to find one superb candidate to be appointed as the next Dallas Poet Laureate.

The poet laureate will serve a two-year term, beginning in April of 2026.

Starting in June 2025, the committee will begin taking applications through Dec. 15, 2025. No late submission will be accepted!

DPL staff and OAC staff will be coordinating the selection process. The guiding principles for the program are as follows:

• An open application process with stated eligibility criteria, judging and performance expectations as offered to engender inclusiveness, transparency and fairness.

• Applicants for the poet laureate's contract position should demonstrate a current working, artistic presence in the city of Dallas through venues/presentations named on their resume.

• Current or previous city of Dallas residency is preferred and essential to the role. If Dallas residency is not current, office space or workplace within the city is required.

  • Personal or workplace residency in Dallas must have been maintained for at least one year prior to the application due date.

• The Office of Arts and Culture and the Dallas Public Library will coordinate a two-step review process. In step one, open submissions will be reviewed. (Valid applications must be submitted electronically via www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry):

  • A 7-10 sentence biography

  • Four poems written in the last three years

  • A full resume

  • A brief description of no more than two pages depicting how you would fulfill the position requirements as outlined in Scope of Work section below

•  In the second step, three to five finalists will be interviewed by the committee. Finalists will be asked a series of questions, and their answers will be rated on a scale.

  • A brief presentation of their work may also be asked of the applicant.

Timeline:

* The Poet Laureate may be asked to hold the poet laureate title until a new laureate is chosen.

Criteria for Nomination and Selection:

• A living or working presence within the city of Dallas.

  • Valid addresses are based on the applicant's physical residence or employment place, not on a P.O. Box or other property owned by the applicant. Proof of address is required.

  • Applicant must have retained Dallas residency, living or working, for at least one year prior to the application deadline.

• At least 10 published works (print, online, poetry journals, magazines, websites, or video) over the past five years.

• Have a strong interest in serving the city with an interest in community outreach service and/or volunteering.

• Strong customer service and communication skills.

• Must be at least 21 years of age.

• Must be able to work at least 10 hours a month at a DPL location or Dallas Cultural Center which could include outside events at other locations.

  • Though 10 hours is the requirement, the residing poet laureate is likely to be requested to work closer to 25+ hours a month.

  • The Laureate’s main office will be at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, but they are welcome to office at other public city locations to gain inspiration, insight into the community and nurture their creative spark while engaging the community.

• Must be able to travel between locations around the city of Dallas.

Application Requirements:

• A statement of two or three paragraphs detailing why the applicant would be a good choice for the Dallas Poet Laureate Program (Prepared and submitted electronically through our website at www.dallaslibrary.org/poetry)

• A proposal for a program that promotes the literary arts within the community, that engage and include communities of diverse backgrounds across the city, not to exceed one page

•  A writing sample of 4-10 pages in length consisting of select poems or other literary works OR a spoken word video

• Résumé or curriculum vitae, not to exceed two pages (showcasing publication history, experience in public speaking, teaching and/or public performances of community outreach service and/or volunteering)

• Brief biography, not to exceed one page

• Completed application submitted via the online submission form (NOTE: All submissions must be complete and fulfill all requirements. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.)

Scope of Work:

Over the course of the two-year appointed term (renewable after the first year), the Dallas Poet Laureate will carry out the following duties during their term:

• Be a liaison, advocate and leader who will utilize artistic excellence and literary achievements to inspire the diverse residents of Dallas to read, write, perform and appreciate the written and spoken word.

  • The Poet Laureate will act as a liaison to the annual Express Yourself! Youth Poetry Competition and participate in the annual awards ceremony.

• Create and/or collect a series and/or body of literary works that commemorate Dallas's diversity and vibrancy.

• Bring literary arts classes/workshops/events to various DPL branches, cultural centers and neighborhoods, and present public readings of original works created for these events, past work appropriate to the occasion and audience, and/or historical works by past or living Dallas poets.

• Inspire emerging generations of critical thinkers, writers, storytellers and literary artists.

• Encourage both the reading and writing of literature.

• Engage Dallas residents, visitors, civic and elected leaders, youth, adults, seniors and students of all ages through self-coordinated or community-partnered outreach activities that are reviewed and approved by DPL.

• Participate in a celebratory event with Deep Vellum to commemorate the release of the Poet Laureate book published by Deep Vellum and work with Deep Vellum to host community events with Dallas-area partner organizations.

• Collaborate with the Office of Arts and Culture to develop and implement a signature literary project.

• Hold office hours each month on the 3rd floor of the Central Library. This will be coordinated in advance with DPL staff. Hours will include programming, outreach, program planning and being available to engage with members of the public.

• Complete an annual report due by March 31st of each year that includes a recap of public events, special presentations and works created by the Poet during the previous year.

• Respond to official Poet Laureate communications in a timely manner.

• Maintain a calendar of official Poet Laureate events that City staff can easily access and review.

• Respond to official Poet Laureate communications in a timely manner.

• Maintain a calendar of official Poet Laureate events that City staff can easily access and review.

• Keep the City of Dallas abreast of contact and interviews with the media so that the City can help promote and support the poet laureate.

Honorarium:

The Dallas Poet Laureate will receive a total honorarium of $20,000 over a two-year term to be awarded in the following manner:

• $5,000 upon term approval

• $10,000 in April 2025, upon receipt of the Poet Laureate’s Annual Report. This signifies the beginning of the second annual term.

• $5,000 in March 2026, upon receipt of the Poet Laureate’s Final Report. This signifies the end of the contracted term.

  
  

Contract with Deep Vellum Publishing

The Dallas Poet Laureate will receive a $2,000 advance from Deep Vellum to publish a full-length volume of poetry of approximately 60 pages on a date mutually agreed upon by the Poet Laureate and Deep Vellum either during the two-year tenure or at the end of the tenure.

The volume of poetry will include new work written during the Poet Laureate’s tenure or a combination of new and previously written work.

Deep Vellum will also publish a chapbook of poetry during the Dallas Poet Laureate’s tenure if this is of interest to the Poet Laureate.

Signature Project with the Office of Arts and Culture

As part of the two-year term, the Dallas Poet Laureate will collaborate with the Office of Arts and Culture to develop and implement a signature literary project. The project should be community-centered and designed to reflect the diversity, culture, and creativity of Dallas through poetry or spoken word.

The nature and format of the project will be co-developed by the Poet Laureate and OAC staff and may include (but is not limited to): public programs at cultural centers, community writing workshops, literary installations, intergenerational storytelling, or a published or digital collection. The project should promote inclusive engagement with Dallas residents and advance access to literary arts citywide.

Branding and Acknowledgment Requirements

All printed and digital materials (e.g., flyers, signage, publications, videos) related to the Poet Laureate program must include the logos and names of both the Dallas Public Library and the Office of Arts and Culture.

Additionally, verbal acknowledgment of both partners should be made at all public-facing events, readings, and appearances.

Media and Press Coordination

The Poet Laureate must coordinate with DPL and OAC prior to accepting or participating in any media interviews, press features, or public statements related to their role. All media engagements and promotional materials must be reviewed and approved by DPL and/or OAC before publication.