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 can...
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