Inaugral Leicester Poet Laureate
The Leicester Poetry Committee is on the search to find Leicester's first poet laureate, if you think this could be you please read below.
The Leicester Poet Laureate Will Be:
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Representative of Leicester and its people.
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A performing poet with at least 3 years experience of live poetry performances.
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Be from Leicester / have been living in Leicester/Leicestershire for at least three years & currently residing here.
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Be exemplary of Leicester’s poetry as a place of excellent and vibrant live poetry.
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A confident and experienced writer and performer of poetry.
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Be committed to producing engaging poetry and/or spoken word that is suitable for a variety of audiences and is responding to Leicester and its communities.
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Have a demonstrative track record of working with young people, communities and engaging in public facing activities and projects.
Details
Laureate will serve from Sept 2025 - Sept 2027.
Apply via the online form here.
Applications will close on Friday 30th May.
The shortlist will be announced in July and the Laureate will be revealed in August with their two year term to begin in September 2025.
Poet Laureate Role
Aims for the role
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Put Leicester on the map as a Poetry City
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Create a legacy
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Generate poetry interest and engagement in the city
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Create future projects for the Laureate and poets living in Leicester
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Create sustainable careers for poets in Leicester
Role Responsibilities
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Represent poetry in Leicester
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Champion poetry in Leicester
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Champion Leicester’s rich and diverse city through their work
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Engage with arts, cultural and educational organisations and establishments in Leicester and across the country as a poet and representative of our great city
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Share their work and experience as the LPL publicly via media, radio and social media channels
Benefits
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Public Inauguration event and performance
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Receive support and guidance during term from the Leicester Poetry Committee and Literati Arts
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Be booked to headline at least two of the events under the Leicester Poetry Committee umbrella
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Local and national recognition as the first Leicester Poet Laureate
Photograph: Roy McFarlane by Paul Stringer, Literati Arts Black Care Poetry Club 2024
To apply you will need
1. To meet the above criteria
2. To provide a mission statement (up to 300 words) or 2-3 minutes of video).
3. To send us a C.V. detailing your relevant previous experience as a poet.
4. Send a 1 - 2 page poem or video (maximum of 3 minutes) of a poem which demonstrates your poetry talent and style.
You can apply using written word or submit videos via video link to youtube. This can be sent as a public private link within the form provided.
Apply online here.
Further Details:
If you require a physical print out of the application form to apply via post then please email info@literatiarts.com.
Applications made using AI will not be accepted, please apply in your own words.
Members of the Leicester Poetry Committee past and present will not be eligible to apply.
Applications will be marked and scored against the criteria and shortlisted. Final decisions will be made by an independent panel of Leicester experts in Arts and Culture. Panel to be announced in due course.
The creation of this role is organised and supported by the Leicester Poetry Committee and Literati Arts on a voluntary basis with support from the Leicester Libraries Services. If you wish to financially support this role and ensure it's success please donate here.