Call for Applications for Next Poet Laureate of Westwood
Purpose and roles:
The primary goal of the Westwood Poet Laureate is to promote public awareness of poetry in the town. To do so, the Poet Laureate’s duties are the following:
- To encourage the reading and writing of poetry by creating programs and holding events for the town, such as workshops for writers, readings, poetry slams, and other events throughout the town and its schools.
- To write several annual seasonal poems for local events and holidays.
- To select and mentor the Westwood Teen Poet Laureate, an annual position
The Poet Laureate is a role open to residents of Westwood, employees of the town, and individuals with a history of public service to the town. While publication history is taken into account, the role is not limited to individuals with publications.
Duration:
The Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term (May 2025 – June 2027) with an annual stipend of $500, which is funded by the WPL 21st Century Fund. The Laureate will be appointed by the Westwood Select Board following a recommendation form a selection committee. The position can be renewed for additional terms following a deliberation process involving the Poet Laureate, selection committee, and Select Board.
How to apply:
- To apply, please send an email to Westwoodpoetlaureate@townhall.westwood.ma.us with your contact information and with the following attached as PDFs:
- A cover letter of no more than two pages describing your plans for the position.
- A Curriculum Vitae.
- A writing sample of five to ten pages.
Submissions will be open from December 1st, 2024, to January 8th, 2025.
Selection process:
The selection committee will review applications beginning January 15th. The committee, composed of representatives of the town’s Public Schools, Youth and Family Services, Library Trustees, Westwood Cultural Council, Friends of the Library, and poets in the community, will support the Poet Laureate as they assume the role and its responsibilities. During the review process, the committee will evaluate the poet’s (1) plans for public service in the role, (2) history of promoting poetry, and (3) poetic merit, exemplified in their written sample. The committee will submit their recommendation to the Westwood Select Board for approval.
Lynne Viti, whose term as inaugural Poet Laureate began in 2023, will complete her term on May 31, 2025. A successor Poet Laureate will be chosen from the pool of applicants.
The Search Committee members are:
Library Director Elizabeth McGovern
Poet Laureate Lynne Viti
Library trustee and member, Friends of the Library, Maria Ryan
Westwood High School Mandarin Teacher, Lisa Spollen
Mike Dwyer, poet and Westwood resident
Karen Michaelson, poet and Westwood resident
Questions about the position of Poet laureate and the timetable for the committee's work should be directed to Lynne Viti, using the form at
https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/library/poet-laureate
Written by Westwood Poet Laureate Selection Committee
Funded by the WPL 21st Century Fund
Updated November 2024