The City of Danbury has a new job opening ”“ for its first poet laureate.
The Danbury Cultural Commission is forming a seven-member Danbury Poet Laureate Selection Committee, who will review applications and provide a recommendation to Mayor Dean Esposito, who will appoint the poet laureate to a three-year term.
The qualifications for the position require someone who is 18 years old or older and has either resided in Danbury for the previous three years or has at least three years connection to the city through employment, family or community involvement and is willing to live in the area for the three years of the term.
The city is also looking for someone who is “experienced in the field of poetry,” although it is not immediately clear if this requires someone who is professionally published. The poet laureate”™s work will include organizing and participating in poetry readings and workshops and being able to “foster public appreciation and participation in poetry and literary arts activities in Danbury” ”“ which includes selecting and mentoring a Young People”™s Poet Laureate.
Applications are being accepted from July 15 through Sept. 15 and the inaugural Danbury Poet Laureate will be announced in April 2024 as part of National Poetry Month. More information is available on the city”™s website.
And in case you are wondering about the salary and benefits connected with this position ”“ there are none, because this is strictly a volunteer endeavor. Besides, when was the last time you met someone who made a full-time living as a poet?
