Culture in Queens
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Helen
Marshall with Paolo Javier (c.), the fifth
Queens Poet
Laureate, and James Muyskens, President
of Queens College |
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Queens Poet Laureate 2010
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall has approved her Panel of Judges’ recommendation of Paolo
Javier as the fifth Poet Laureate of Queens. On June 17th she held an installation ceremony to officially launch Mr. Javier’s
three-year term.
Paolo Javier is an award-winning poet, playwright, film
director, college professor, editor and publisher. A native
of the Philippines who has lived in Sunnyside, Queens, for
more than a decade, Javier has a clear and unique vision
for promoting a love of poetry throughout the borough and
beyond. The Queens Poet Laureate is a three-year, unsalaried
post.
Click here for the Press Release
The following information relates to the 2010 application
process, which has passed.
Read poems by the Poets Laureate.
Eligibility
Criteria
A. To apply, you must:
- Currently reside in Queens. We are seeking applicants
who have lived in the borough for a least the past two
years. (If
selected, proof of residency will be required.)
- Demonstrate
a significant publication record in English. We want
to know if you have published poetry collections, or if
you have been included in recognized journals, anthologies,
recorded spoken word presentations, or online poetry web
sites. We also want to know if you have participated
in public readings and what your vision is for conducting
outreach to the Queens community. If
you are a bilingual poet, you are welcome to apply, so
long as you can present and read your poetry in English.
- Write
poetry about Queens. We are looking for applicants
who have written poems (published or unpublished) that
are inspired by, or that otherwise relate to, this borough.
Supporting Documents
B.
Please include the following in your application:
- The completed application form, sent via email, with
supporting documents.
- A literary resume (of any length) and a general
biography (no longer than one page).
- A representative
sample of your poetry, totaling 10 pages, which includes
work related to Queens. If your
work has been published or performed, please provide
details on the relevant pages.
- Do not include books, CDs, or more than 10 pages – or
your application will not be considered.
How to Apply - Instructions for 2010
The Queens Poet Laureate initiative
is "going green." Please complete the online
application form, assemble your documents and email
all documents as attachments to poet@queensbp.org.
C. Follow these instructions when submitting
your application:
- Click to download the application form to your computer:
2010 Poet
Laureate Application Form (MS word .doc)
- SAVE the Application Document to your harddrive.
- Open the document, fill it out and save it.
- Assemble all other supporting documents.
- Attach the completed application and all other documents in an Email and send everything to this address:
poet@queensbp.org.
- If you have trouble filling out the Application Form, please just provide us with the information requested on the Application Form (name, address, telephone, email) in the email that you send to poet@queensbp.org with attachments of your materials.
- If you do not have access to a computer, call (718)
286-2741.
- The deadline for the application is Wednesday, April 14th.
Facts About the Position...
D. Please understand the following about the Queens
Poet Laureate position:
- This is an honorary,
unpaid position. Applications
are reviewed by a panel of judges with relevant experience,
and the final candidate is approved by the Queens Borough
President.
- This is a 3-year time commitment. The
Queens Poet Laureate is expected to promote an appreciation
of poetry throughout the borough. Examples
of outreach include readings at public schools, libraries,
community centers or borough arts events.
- The Queens
Poet Laureate is required to collaborate on at least
one annual event sponsored by the Queens Borough President’s
Office and is encouraged to participate in a variety
of community events.
- The Queens Poet Laureate must
keep the Queens Borough President’s
Office informed of his/her schedule of readings, by keeping
in contact with the Borough President’s liaison
to the Queens Poet Laureate Administrative Committee.
-
The
Queens Poet Laureate should promote the borough and the
position at performances in Queens, and elsewhere as
appropriate.
For questions regarding the position and submission guidelines,
please contact:
Susie
Tanenbaum
Community & Cultural Coordinator
Queens Borough
President's Office
(718) 286-2741
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