Cupertino Poet Laureate, Where Art Thou?
Poet Laureate is an honorary volunteer position sponsored by the City of Cupertino and seated in its public library. Sponsors and support network include the Library Commission, Friends of the Cupertino Library, and the Cupertino Library Foundation. The Poet Laureate is a practicing poet with professional recognition and a talent for performance. The Poet Laureate is expected to create and host public events that promote the literary arts in our community and inspire creativity in all residents. Such events might include poetry contests, writing workshops and lectures, public readings, etc. The Poet Laureate works in collaboration with the City, sponsors, and support network to schedule and promote events.
Download Application Form
Applications for the Poet Laureate of Cupertino will be accepted through July 26, 2013. The formal application, deliverable to Cupertino City Hall, can be downloaded through this webpage, or can be picked up at Cupertino Library Reference Desk or at a number of locations around the City, including City Hall and Quinlan Community Center.
In December 2010, the City Council of Cupertino unanimously adopted a resolution establishing the office of the Cupertino Poet Laureate. The individual selected by the Cupertino Poet Laureate Committee, through an application and interview process, will be the second person in Cupertino to officially promote poetry and other literary forms to the City’s diverse population.
The Poet Laureate will preside for two years, until September 2015. Through personal presentations and hosted educational events, the Laureate will introduce adults and youth to the benefits of personal and community expression, highlighting living and working in Cupertino.
Applicants for the Poet Laureate position must be 21 years of age, reside or have worked in Cupertino in the last two successive years, and have been published or otherwise publicly recognized as a poet. Applicants with disabilities, even speech, and candidates fluent in languages in addition to English, are encouraged to apply. Poems must be submitted in English. Final interviews will be scheduled on August 5-16, 2013.
Members of the Cupertino Poet Laureate Selection Committee are: Dave Denny, Adrian Kolb, Ann Stevenson, Thomas Ray, Roz Davis, Kathy Stakey, Deborah Vanni, Ron Miller and Beverly Lenihan. Read the selection committee members bio.
Interested Candidates
Download Application Form
Download Application Brochure
Please submit application and related documents to Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. For more information email PoetLaureate@cupertino.org.
Archived Information
Cupertino's First Poet Laureate
David Denny served as Cupertino's inaugural Poet Laureate (2011-2013). Through a variety of public events for youth, teens and adults, he brought people together (some new to the art of poetry and some seasoned writers) to share and celebrate creativity. Coffeehouse readings, events with other local laureates, a citywide contest, and poetry writing workshops were a few of the happenings that Denny sponsored as ways to engage our diverse community and encourage literary expression. As Denny said near the end of his term, "It's been such a pleasure to bring the literary arts to the forefront of our community. Cupertino is a great city, and it has been my honor to serve its residents in this capacity. Keep scribbling everybody".
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