Calgary’s second Poet Laureate to be announced April 28
NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
April 21, 2014
Incoming laureate will serve a two-year term as an artistic ambassador for Calgary
(Calgary AB) – Media are invited to attend the announcement of Calgary’s second Poet Laureate at 9:30am on April 28, 2014, in Council Chambers at Calgary City Hall (800 Macleod Tr. SE). This event will mark the beginning of the new Poet Laureate’s two-year term, following Calgary’s first Poet Laureate, Kris Demeanor.
Media are allowed in a designated area of Council Chamber for the announcement and are advised they may not use flash. Both the outgoing and incoming Poets Laureate will be available for interview outside of Council Chambers directly after the announcement (about 9:40am).
Calgary’s second Poet Laureate will serve as an artistic ambassador for the citizens of Calgary from 2014-2016. An $10,000 honorarium is paid per year for the position, funded by six Calgary Poet Laureate Ambassadors, five from the private sector (The Calgary Foundation, the Calgary Chamber, First Calgary Financial, FirstEnergy Capital, Transcanada) and one anonymous donor.
During his time as Poet Laureate (2012-2014), Kris Demeanor appeared at over 100 events in Calgary and its surrounding areas as a performer, writer, emcee, workshop instructor, special guest, contest judge and more.
“It was an adventure, honour and challenge being Calgary’s first Poet Laureate,” says Kris Demeanor. “I have joked that Calgary really likes to see their jester dance, which at its heart is a compliment to a city that is embracing poetry in its many forms more all the time, and is curious and passionate. I have been touched by people across all age, cultural and economic demographics, and learnt an immense amount from other poets about the craft of this most sublime and powerful art form.”
“The Calgary Poet Laureate works to galvanize our community around the importance of art in everyday life. They promote awareness of Calgary’s rich literary history and create meaning for our community,” says Jo Steffens, chair of the Calgary Poet Laureate selection committee. “It was a pleasure to serve on the selection committee and to be exposed to such a talented group of poets. Kris Demeanor has set the bar high for the position and I am confident that the next Poet Laureate will inspire Calgarians to celebrate poetry and the poet in each of us.”
A celebration to welcome the new Poet Laureate called Parting Words/Starting Words will be held at 7:00pm on April 29 at TELUS Spark (220 St. George’s Dr. NE). The event will feature presentations from both outgoing Poet Laureate Kris Demeanor as well as his successor, as well as other performers that will highlight the diversity within Calgary’s poetic community. Tickets are free.
About the Calgary Poet Laureate Program
On July 26, 2011, City Council approved a motion to establish a Calgary Poet Laureate position, funded by six Calgary Poet Laureate Ambassadors (The Calgary Foundation, the Calgary Chamber, First Calgary Financial, FirstEnergy Capital, Transcanada and one anonymous donor). Calgary Arts Development administers the program in conjunction with a volunteer Selection Committee, which appoints each Calgary Poet Laureate for a two-year term. The Calgary Poet Laureate is intended to be an artistic ambassador for Calgary, presenting at civic events and producing literary work that is reflective of Calgary’s landscape, cityscape and identity.
About Calgary Arts Development
Calgary Arts Development plays a leadership role to promote, foster and direct investments that develop the capacity of Calgary’s arts sector to achieve public and artistic impact. As the city’s designated arts development authority, we are a central hub that learns about, promotes, connects, advocates for, and leads strategic initiatives in the arts to animate Calgary as a vibrant cultural centre. Calgary Arts Development allocates municipal funding for the arts provided by The City of Calgary through granting programs that support operations and innovation for more than 190 arts organizations in Calgary.
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Further Information
Cadence Mandybura
Communications Liaison, Calgary Arts Development
Phone: 403.264.5330 ext. 201
Email: cadence.mandybura@calgaryartsdevelopment.com
