Poet Laureate at City of Bremerton in Bremerton, WA

The City of Bremerton is seeking applications from poets who are passionate about literature, community connection, and the power of poetry to reflect and strengthen civic life.

The Bremerton Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for poetry and literary arts in Bremerton. The selected Poet Laureate helps make poetry accessible, welcoming, and visible through public readings, creative projects, workshops, collaborations, and participation in City and community events.

The Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term, beginning upon appointment in January 2027 and concluding in December 2028.

Role and Purpose

The Poet Laureate will:

• Promote poetry as a meaningful form of creative expression, storytelling, and community connection
• Create opportunities for Bremerton residents of all ages and backgrounds to engage with poetry
• Represent Bremerton residents, neighborhoods, histories, cultures, natural environment, and civic life through literary arts
• Encourage and support local writers, students, artists, and community partners
• Help elevate literary arts as part of Bremerton’s broader arts and cultural programming

Key Responsibilities

The Poet Laureate works collaboratively with the City of Bremerton Arts Commission, City staff, local artists, schools, libraries, community organizations, and cultural partners.

Responsibilities include:

• Attend the Bremerton Arts Commission’s regular monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m., remotely or in person.
• Participate in special events, public readings, workshops, and other City or community activities as requested and mutually scheduled
• Present poetry at selected City and community events
• Offer readings, performances, workshops, talks, or other poetry-based activities for the public
• Develop at least one community-focused poetry project during the term
• Create original work that reflects or responds to Bremerton residents, places, stories, histories, and civic identity
• Collaborate with local arts, education, nonprofit, library, and community organizations when appropriate
• Support literary arts programming during National Poetry Month in April, when feasible
• Provide brief activity updates to the Arts Commission or designated City staff throughout the term
• Participate in an end-of-term reflection or summary of accomplishments, outcomes, and recommendations for the program’s future

To be eligible for appointment as the City of Bremerton Poet Laureate, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old at the time of application
• Reside within the City of Bremerton
• All poetry and written creative work submitted as part of the application or created and presented while serving as the Bremerton Poet Laureate must be the Poet Laureate’s own original work and may not be generated, in whole or in part, by artificial intelligence (AI) or generative AI tools.
• Be available to attend the Bremerton Arts Commission’s regular monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• Be available to participate in special events, readings, workshops, and other agreed-upon community engagements during the term
• Maintain professional, respectful, and inclusive conduct while representing the City of Bremerton and participating in City-sponsored programs, events, and activities
• Be available and willing to make public appearances within the City of Bremerton, including readings, performances, workshops, City events, community events, and other engagements as mutually scheduled.

Desired Qualifications

The City welcomes applications from poets with a demonstrated commitment to artistic practice and community engagement. Applicants should have:

• A demonstrated body of original poetry, which may include published work, self-published work, public readings, performances, recordings, or other evidence of artistic practice
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to present work and engage respectfully with diverse audiences
• Experience, interest, or potential in leading workshops, readings, discussions, or community-based creative activities
• Interest in collaborating with artists, educators, cultural organizations, City staff, and community members
• An appreciation for the role of poetry in community storytelling, civic dialogue, and cultural expression
• Organizational skills to plan and deliver events, workshops, or creative projects
• Familiarity with digital and social media platforms for outreach and promotion is desirable

Publication history is welcome but not required. The City encourages applications from poets at different stages of their careers, including emerging poets, spoken-word artists, page poets, performance poets, teaching artists, and poets working across cultures, languages, and forms.

Selection Considerations

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel using criteria that may include:

• Quality, originality, and voice of submitted poetry
• Demonstrated connection to Bremerton and its residents and communities
• Ability to engage and inspire a wide range of audiences
• Interest in accessible, inclusive, and community-centered programming
• Experience or potential in public speaking, performance, teaching, facilitation, or collaborative projects
• Vision for how poetry can serve Bremerton during the two-year term
• Ability to fulfill the role’s eligibility and time-commitment requirements

Stipend and Support

The selected Poet Laureate will receive a $1,000 stipend for the two-year term (2027-2028). Payment details will be provided in the appointment letter.

The City may also provide support through:

• Coordination with Arts Commission and City staff
• Promotion through City communication channels
• Connections with community partners and public-programming opportunities
• Assistance identifying appropriate venues, event opportunities, and project collaborators

The Poet Laureate is a stipend-paid civic arts appointment and is not a full-time City employment position. Applicable appointment terms, City policies, and onboarding requirements will be provided to the selected Poet Laureate.

Ownership and Use of Work

The Poet Laureate retains copyright and ownership of original poems, writings, and other creative work created during the term. Terms governing the City’s use, reproduction, publication, attribution, and permissions for work created or presented as part of the Poet Laureate program will be outlined in the appointment agreement.

To apply, please submit:

• A letter of interest describing your connection to Bremerton, your interest in the Poet Laureate role, and your vision for engaging the community through poetry
• A current résumé or brief biography outlining relevant artistic, professional, teaching, performance, or community-engagement experience
• Three to five original poems authored by the applicant, not exceeding 10 total pages, or links to audio or video recordings of the applicant reading or performing their original poetry. Submitted poetry must be the applicant’s own original work and may not be generated, in whole or in part, using artificial intelligence (AI) or generative AI tools.
• A brief proposal for a possible community poetry project you would like to explore during the term
• Contact information for two references who can speak to your artistic work, reliability, community involvement, or public-engagement experience
• Confirmation that you meet the eligibility requirements, including Bremerton residency, age eligibility, and availability for monthly Arts Commission meetings

Applications must be received by December 1, 2026

Submit application materials online: https://www.BremertonWA.gov/169/Current-Jobs

Selected finalists may be invited to participate in an interview, reading, or public presentation.