Stratford is getting not one poet laureate but two

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Stratford will soon be getting two new ambassadors: a poet laureate and a youth poet laureate.

Stratford city council approved a three-year pilot program in partnership with Destination Stratford and the Stratford Public Library at its Nov. 12 meeting.

The roles will be instrumental in supporting Stratford’s literary communities, according to a staff report presented to council. They will be honours bestowed upon the successful applicants and will work to raise the profile of the literary arts in the region.

As part of the positions, there will be duties for each. The poet laureate will be aged 25 and older and be expected to produce three original works for specific events, make three public presentations a year at least, collaborate with the library on one program and mentor the youth poet laureate.

The youth poet laureate, aged 14-24, will have the same expectations, save that they are expected to produce and present only two works rather than three.

The positions will not be jobs per se, though the poet laureate position will have a $2,500 honorarium and the youth poet laureate will have a $1,000 honorarium, funded by Destination Stratford.

A selection committee will be formed, chosen by the CEO of the library and executive director of Destination Stratford. It will include members from the library, Destination Stratford and the community services department at the city. It may also include two representatives from a local arts organization or community, a member of the diversity, equity and inclusion department, or a member of city council.

The committee will review applications and select the laureates based on experience, merit, contributions to the arts and recognition within the community, among other criteria.

The three-year pilot will be the term for the poet laureate, whereas the youth position will only serve in the role for a one-year term.

After the pilot period runs its course, the organizing committee will evaluate the program and advocate for its continuation, change, or discontinuation.

“I think it's an excellent initiative,” Coun. Larry McCabe said before council approved the program. “And we have a really talented and artistic community, so I'm sure we'll have no problem filling these positions.”