Poet Laureate of Philadelphia

Poet Laureate of Philadelphia is a civic position in the City of Philadelphia.[1] The Poet Laureate has been described as an "Ambassador of Poetry".[2] The holder of the position is expected to actively promote literacy and encourage expression in the city.[1] As part of their position, they participate in service work, workshops and readings. One of their commitments is to mentor the Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.[2]

The position was created by the City of Philadelphia during the city administration of Mayor Michael Nutter,[3] and continued under Mayor Jim Kenney.[4] It was originally managed by the city's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. As of 2017, administration of the program was transferred to the Free Library of Philadelphia.[5]

Poetry makes us remember the best of ourselves and others... it keeps us constantly confronting the most important question of this twenty-first century: what does it mean to be human?

— Sonia Sanchez, 2014[6]
  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Debt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Hobayan, Leslieann (2017). "Ambassador of Poetry". Lafayette Gazette. No. Spring. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Burton was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Baker was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Crimmins was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Teen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).