Northwest Wayne News

The City of Detroit is seeking nominations for two prestigious positions that will celebrate and promote the city's culture, literary genius, and musical excellence. The Detroit Poet Laureate and Detroit Composer Laureate will join the City's First Official Historian in sharing the richness of Detroit's artistic heritage. These new positions are generously funded by the Ford Foundation.

Mayor Mike Duggan, who has been a strong advocate for Detroit's creative workforce, will appoint the Detroit Poet and Composer Laureates. In 2021, the Mayor established the first-ever City Historian position, which is also sponsored by the Ford Foundation. The Mayor believes that "establishing the roles of Poet Laureate and Composer Laureate is one way we can highlight, celebrate and develop the incredible talent we have in our city."

The previous Poet Laureate of Detroit, the late Naomi Madgett Long, set a high bar for the position. Her legacy will be celebrated at a special event on February 11. Unlike previous Poet Laureates, the new appointee will be expected to compose poems for special events and engage with the residents of Detroit, particularly children. The Detroit Poet Laureate will plan and lead poetry-centered events across the city, give an annual address at the Detroit Public Library, participate in community-based and national poetry programs, and write a singular poem for year-end presentation.

To qualify for the position, applicants must be Detroit residents, have a substantial body of published work, including at least one full-length book, and have been an established, professional poet for at least 10 years. The laureate will be selected by the Mayor from a community judging panel and will report to the Detroit Council of the Arts and the Director of Arts and Culture.

Rochelle Riley, the city's Director of Arts and Culture, expressed her pride in having an official historian and emphasized the importance of the laureate positions in valuing history and culture. She stated, "This position - and the laureates - are some of the most important Mayor Mike Duggan has appointed and speaks to how much this administration values history and culture and the contributions of Detroiters to American history."

In addition to the Detroit Poet Laureate, the City is also seeking nominations for the Detroit Composer Laureate. This new position aims to advocate for and represent Detroit's diverse musical community, promote the city's rich musical history, and inspire young people to pursue careers in music. The Composer Laureate will be responsible for creating a legacy project, an original composition, that celebrates Detroit's musical excellence. They will also collaborate with residents, organizations, and schools on programming and projects.

To qualify for the position of Detroit Composer Laureate, applicants must be Detroit residents, have a substantial body of published composition, and have at least 10 years of experience writing published music. The laureate will be selected by the Mayor from recommendations provided by a community judging panel and will report to the Director of Arts and Culture.

Applicants for both positions are required to submit a packet that includes their contact information, two reference letters, a resume, samples of their work, and a letter explaining their interest in the position and their vision for their tenure.

The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2024. For more information, interested individuals can contact Lacey Holmes in the Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship at [email protected] The City of Detroit is excited to welcome the new Detroit Poet Laureate and Detroit Composer Laureate who will contribute to the vibrant artistic landscape of the city.