Nominations Open Today for the First Ohio Poet Laureate
by OAC Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2015

Contact:
Justin Nigro
614/728-4445
justin.nigro@oac.state.oh.us

Columbus, OH--The Ohio Arts Council announces a call for nominations for the first Ohio Poet Laureate.

All nominations, including self-nominations, and submission materials must be submitted via e-mail to OhioPoetLaureate@oac.state.oh.us.

Nominations will close on May 20, 2015, at 5 p.m.

For more information on nomination requirements, please visit the Ohio Arts Council website or click here to view a brief document detailing the position.

The Ohio Poet Laureate Committee, seated by the OAC board, will review nominations and interview three semi-finalists. The committee will then make a recommendation to Governor John R. Kasich, who will ultimately appoint the position.

The inaugural Ohio Poet Laureate's two-year term begins on January 1, 2016, and ends on December 31, 2017.

The Ohio Poet Laureate has the opportunity to foster the art of poetry, encourage literacy and learning, address central issues relating to the humanities and heritage, and encourage the reading and writing of poetry across the state. He or she will be expected to undertake a significant cultural project, such as bringing poetry to underserved Ohioans, and will provide at least ten public readings or events annually in urban and rural settings throughout Ohio.

In 2014, the Ohio General Assembly enacted and Governor Kasich signed legislation creating the position.

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