United Arts Collaborates with
Other Local Arts Agencies on New
Piedmont Laureate Program
Other Local Arts Agencies on New
Piedmont Laureate Program
Boston has one. Napa Valley, California has one too. And now the Triangle area has its very own Piedmont Laureate, thanks to a new collaboration between four local arts agencies – the City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Durham Arts Council, Orange County Arts Commission, and United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County.
With the key goal “to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont area,” the Laureate program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing. Applications are now being accepted for the Laureate position from poets currently residing in Wake, Durham, or Orange counties.
The Piedmont Laureate, to be selected by a committee appointed by the sponsoring agencies, will present public readings and workshops, participate at select public functions, and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of literature. The Laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000. For the 2008-2009 cycle, applications will be accepted only from poets (in future years, other literary artists such as novelists and playwrights will be invited to apply).
“We think this is a wonderful way to highlight an art form that deserves more attention,” says Eleanor H. Oakley, President/CEO of the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. “With so many talented writers living in this area, shining a little more light on them just makes sense.”
Debbie McGill, literature director of the North Carolina Arts Council, agreed. “The state poet laureate can't be everywhere. When several counties join forces to appoint a literary ambassador, the resources available for community service are exponentially greater,” she said.
Additional information on the Piedmont Laureate program, including guidelines and an application form, is available by visiting www.raleighnc.gov/arts or contacting , (919) 890-3610. The deadline for poets to apply is August 29.
With the key goal “to promote awareness and heighten appreciation for excellence in the literary arts throughout the Piedmont area,” the Laureate program is dedicated to building a literary bridge for residents to come together and celebrate the art of writing. Applications are now being accepted for the Laureate position from poets currently residing in Wake, Durham, or Orange counties.
The Piedmont Laureate, to be selected by a committee appointed by the sponsoring agencies, will present public readings and workshops, participate at select public functions, and create at least one original activity to expand appreciation of literature. The Laureate will receive an honorarium of $5,000. For the 2008-2009 cycle, applications will be accepted only from poets (in future years, other literary artists such as novelists and playwrights will be invited to apply).
“We think this is a wonderful way to highlight an art form that deserves more attention,” says Eleanor H. Oakley, President/CEO of the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. “With so many talented writers living in this area, shining a little more light on them just makes sense.”
Debbie McGill, literature director of the North Carolina Arts Council, agreed. “The state poet laureate can't be everywhere. When several counties join forces to appoint a literary ambassador, the resources available for community service are exponentially greater,” she said.
Additional information on the Piedmont Laureate program, including guidelines and an application form, is available by visiting www.raleighnc.gov/arts or contacting , (919) 890-3610. The deadline for poets to apply is August 29.
More Information: