TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Parks |
Carrie Hite |
425-556-2326 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Parks |
Chris Weber |
Cultural Arts Administrator |
TITLE:
title
Approval of Appointment of Laura Da’ as the City of Redmond Poet Laureate for 2022-2023
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Established in 2008 by Ordinance 2444, the Poet Laureate program seeks to build a more literate and understanding community, express the spirit of Redmond, and broaden the awareness of poetry, by hosting a variety of programming and community engagement opportunities.
The selection process for Redmond’s 7th Poet Laureate began with a selection panel of Poets and Arts & Culture Commissioners that narrowed the 5 applicants down to three poets to be interviewed. From those interviews one finalist, Laura Da’, was selected and then approved by the Arts & Culture Commission and then interviewed by the Mayor, before moving on to City Council for interview. We are now seeking approval for appointment at the December 7 City Council Business Meeting.
Laura Da’, a poet and teacher. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da’ studied creative writing at the University of Washington and the Institute of American Indian Arts. She is Eastern Shawnee. Her first book, Tributaries, was published by the University of Arizona Press and won a 2016 American Book Award. Da’ has held residencies at the Richard Hugo House, Tin House, and Jack Straw. Her newest book, Instruments of the True Measure, is the winner of the Washington State Book Award.
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
2015 PARCC Plan, 2017 Public Art Plan
• Required:
Ordinance #2444 - Establishing a Poet Laureate; RMC 4.45.010 - A.The Redmond Arts Commission shall set criteria for selection of the Poet Laureate and recommend candidates for the position to the Mayor for approval by the City Council.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The goal of the Redmond Poet Laureate program is to make a significant contribution to the cultural life of the City of Redmond and reveal new ways of understanding throughout our diverse community. This may take place through participation in municipal events, public poetry readings, reading at Redmond City Council meetings, at workshops, classes, lectures, text based visual art, composing and publishing original works, public art projects or other literary based performance or activity, which could include partnerships with the library, local schools, or other community groups.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$10,000 (Artist Fees: $5,000 per year, Project materials: $5,000 per year)
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
000249 - Arts and Community Events
Budget Priority:
Vibrant & Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Arts Activity Fund
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
11/23/2021 |
Special Meeting/Interview |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
To enable the 2022 Poet Laureate Program to commence after January 1, 2022, approval/appointment must take place at the last scheduled business meeting of 2021, held on December 7.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Delay in beginning the program in the new year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Ordinance 2444 - Establishing a Poet Laureate