CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC ART
Call for Artist(s)
POET LAUREATE

Letterhead Addendum

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 31, 2024, 11:59 PM PST

Scope of Project:
The Clark County Poet Laureate (CCPL) is selected up to two years by a panel and is funded by the Clark County Arts Plan which was created by the Clark County Board of Commissioners. The program is seeking the poet laureate for 2024-2025 with an option from the County to extend to 2025-2026.

This project is open only to artists over the age of 18, who are not part-time or full-time Clark County employees.

The selected CCPL will be responsible for fulfilling a comprehensive schedule of literary engagements, including public appearances and public programming, as well as providing a commissioned poem that relates to the CCPL’s body of work while being in the position.

Background 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The CCPL program was established in 2015, and past poets include:

• 2015 – 2017 Bruce Isaacson
• 2017 – 2019 Vogue M. Robinson
• 2019 – 2021 Heather Lang-Cassera
• 2022 – 2024 Angela M. Brommel

From 2023-2024, about 4,000 attendees from the community participated in free writing workshops, poetry readings, panels, and other special events with the CCPL.

Photo of Angela M. Brommel and the Jazz Society for her closing ceremony.

GOALS

• The Poet Laureate program celebrates Clark County’s vibrant literary community and aims to strengthen the future of literary arts in our city by engaging a broad range of communities. The CCPL post will serve as a cultural ambassador for the poetic artform, written and/or spoken, and conduct engaging public events for constituents County-wide.
• As both a local resident and a distinguished poet, the CCPL will represent and celebrate the rich literary history and the diversity of Southern Nevada. As a spokesperson for the area’s literary community, the CCPL will help reinforce the role of literature and the arts in civic life and will actively participate in ceremonial, educational and cultural activities in the community during the term of service.

LOCATION

The CCPL program runs year-round, engaging participants of all ages, from diverse backgrounds, and hosting events at facilities throughout the County.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The vision for this program is to instill a love and appreciation for literary arts. The program’s broad mission encompasses writers from all stages of their careers, and all stages of the writing process.

Through workshops, readings, panels, festivals and public appearances, the Clark County Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry and creative writing.

The Poet Laureate is also tasked with bringing the literary art form to new audiences within our community through Speaking Requests, in coordination with Public Arts staff.

THINGS TO AVOID:

The poetry that is read and shared at CCPL events must be appropriate for children and families. Any poems that promote homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism, or anything that can be seen as hate speech, are not permitted.

PROJECT BUDGET:

Phase 1 Public Arts staff will screen applicants for eligibility. All eligible applicants will be scored and ranked by an independent panel of diverse community members. Up to five (5) semi-finalists may be identified and invited to a formal interview that will take place in person on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 10:00am to 1:00pm PST (alternative date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 10:00am to 1:00pm PST). Location to be shared with finalists.

Phase 2 Based on panel review, the applicant with the best performance in the final interview will be invited to fill in the position and contracted.

Three fiscal year reports will be due to summarize programs and budget.

Periods are:

• October 2024-June 2025 (FY2025) $6,500
• July 2025-June 2026 (FY2026) $6,000
• June 2026-September 2026 (FY2027) $3,500

Payments will be issued in accordance with program milestones.

• First Milestone: Upon completion of the 2024–2025-year calendar of events, to be scheduled within 30 days of Contract execution with the Public Art Project Manager, at which time Artist will be paid $2,000.
• Second Milestone: Upon submission of a monthly report with Poet Laureate programs or appearances, the Artist will be paid $500 monthly for a total of $12,000 for services performed from October of 2024-September of 2026.

The 2025-2026 year calendar of events is due September 1, 2025, 30 days prior to the final year in the service term.

• Third Milestone: Upon completion of their original poem submitted to the County, the Artist will be paid $2,000.

This commitment is over the course of 3 fiscal years, starting in October 2024 and ending September 2026. Each year County will require a renewal of the services.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation will be scored by the stakeholders assigned to this project.

Read all Call information & submit documents in the following order in one PDF file:

1. Cover Letter
   • Completed Cover Sheet. Cover Letter link: https://secure.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDnoSsXzOSMeLskaVgTzC_7b-oj0iHoaAsz2jpvPXdolOZVvGMRVnlzJ4LToT7oRc0*
2. Experience
   • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume, up to two (2) pages. List major publications and education experience, if applicable. Formatted as one PDF File.
3. Previous Works
   • Artist must submit at least five (5) and no more than seven (7) pages of poetic works. Each page must have the title of the poem and page number. Composites of various poems in a single page will not be considered.
   • Format all pages as one PDF File.
4. Project Proposal
   • Propose a project to be completed during the 2024-2026 service term. Proposal is up to one page, describing the project you envision leading and how it benefits poetry, creative writing, the literary arts and the community. Formatted as one PDF File.
   • There is no separate budget for programming. Artist will be paid $8,000 per service year, according to project milestones.

Total submission length will not exceed 11 pages.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Name	File Type	Number of Files	Requirement
1. Cover Letter	File Type: PDF (.pdf)	One Page File	Required
2. Experience (CV or Resume)	File Type: PDF (.pdf)	One File, Up to Two Pages	Required
3. Previous Work Examples	File Type: PDF (.pdf)	One File, 5-7 Pages with titles and page numbers on each page	Required
4. Project Proposal	File Type: PDF (.pdf)	One Page File	Required

 

Only applications that have all requirements will be accepted. Embedded files and links will not be accepted unless permission is granted by staff. Reach out to staff before the deadline for help if you are having problems.

Application must be completed and submitted by August 31, 2024, 11:59 PM PST to:  https://secure.na1.documents.adobe.com/public/esignWidget?wid=CBFCIBAA3AAABLblqZhDnoSsXzOSMeLskaVgTzC_7b-oj0iHoaAsz2jpvPXdolOZVvGMRVnlzJ4LToT7oRc0*

Only applications that have all requirements will be evaluated. Letters of recommendation are not required at this time. Unnecessary documentation will not be considered and removed from the application.

If you have additional application questions, please contact: Poetry@ClarkCountyNV.gov.

A webinar is being held for prospective applicants August 15, 2024 at 12:00pm PST:
Applicant Q&A / 2024-2026 Clark County Poet Laureate
Hosted by Judi Mae Huck

https://clarkcountynv.webex.com/weblink/register/r6b83f693e59837cbe8de35106e842300
Thursday, August 15, 2024 12:00 PM | 1 hour | (UTC-07:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Meeting number: 2493 582 1226
Password: xmPXiRBZ723
Agenda: This meeting is for poets interested in applying to be the next Clark County Poet Laureate. We will review call requirements and answer any questions from prospective artists.

Join by video system
Dial 24935821226@clarkcountynv.webex.com
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone
+1-408-418-9388 United States Toll
Access code: 249 358 21226

SAMPLE CONTRACT

Click here for webinar info >>