Search on for city’s next poet laureate

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This article was published 20/02/2025 (399 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

To be or not to be the city’s next poet laureate?

The Winnipeg Arts Council is accepting nominations of local wordsmiths for the vacant literary ambassadorship, a role previously held by Di Brandt, Duncan Mercredi and Chimwemwe Undi, a Governor General Award-winning poet whose term ended in 2024 and who was selected as the 11th parliamentary poet laureate earlier this year.

According to the arts council, which initiated the position in 2018, the laureate — who must be at least 18, have lived in Winnipeg continuously since January 2020, and be a published or presented poet — “creates work that reflects the life and concerns of the people of Winnipeg.”

The deadline to apply is March 14.

The successful candidate is expected to make three public appearances per year co-ordinated by the council, including at the annual Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts, attend public events and create a signature poetry event or program in collaboration with the council.

Making a nomination, including a self-nomination, requires a letter of recommendation speaking to the poet’s body of work and storytelling ability, samples of the poet’s work and two to three references.

The laureate, who will hold the title through 2026, will be selected by a panel of arts council-appointed community members and announced during April to coincide with National Poetry Month.

The successful candidate will receive an annual honorarium of $5,000, with additional funds available for projects and travel related to their duties.

Nomination packages should be sent to info@winnipegarts.ca with the words “Poet Laureate Nomination” in the subject line.