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File #: 25-0572    Version: 1
Type: decision Status: Other Business
File created: 6/18/2025 In control: City Council
Agenda date: 7/8/2025 Final action:
Title: Approval of the Poet Laureate Recommendation for 2025 - 2027
Attachments: 1. Ocean Application, 2. Ocean Reading

Title

Approval of the Poet Laureate Recommendation for 2025 - 2027

 

Recommended Action

Committee Recommendation:

The Arts Commission recommends appointing Ocean as Poet Laureate for  2025-2027.

 

City Manager Recommendation:

Move to approve the appointment of Ocean as Poet Laureate for 2025-2027.

 

Report

Issue:

Whether to approve the recommendation of Ocean as the Poet Laureate for 2025-2027.

 

Staff Contact:

Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program & Planning Supervisor, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678

 

Presenter(s):

Stephanie Johnson, Arts Commission Staff Liaison

Kathy Dorgan, Chair, Arts Commission

 

Background and Analysis:

Every two years the City of Olympia selects a Poet Laureate to engage our entire

community in the literary arts. Olympia’s take on the position of Poet Laureate is less an

honorary title and more about service over status. Duties include promoting poetry as

an art form, expanding access to the literary arts, and encouraging poetry as a

community voice that contributes to a sense of place. Identifying a common concept to

the last few project themes, Olympia’s next Poet Laureate will be called specifically to

utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute to thoughtful response and

centering around the concept of resilience.

 

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, seven applications for the Poet Laureate position were reviewed by a five-member committee including:

                     Grace Borden, Ursa Literary Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Olympia High School

                     Jim Burlingame, Olympia Arts Commission

                     Kathleen Byrd, Olympia Poet Laureate 2023-2025

                     Carolyn Gilman, Poetry Out Loud Statewide Teacher Liaison

                     Kellie Purce Braseth, Strategic Communications Director, City of Olympia

 

Three applicants were short-listed, and interviews were held Wednesday, June 4.

 

On June 12, 2025, the Arts Commission reviewed the recommendation of the selection committee and agreed to move forward the recommendation of Ocean (full legal name) to the City Council for Olympia Poet Laureate 2025-2027. The committee appreciated Ocean’s ability to articulate the concept of resilience in a very engaging and accessible way. Ocean is an accomplished poet, with a resume of awards, publications and readings stretching back to 2004.

 

Climate Analysis:
In 2023, the Poet Laureate was called specifically to utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute to thoughtful response and centering around our environment and climate change. Resilience is a key component of that response.

 

Equity Analysis:
In 2020, the Poet Laureate was called specifically to utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute insight, foster understanding and support healing around issues of equity and inclusion in our community. Resilience is also a key component of that response. In addition, in their application Ocean notes their “primary audience would be Olympia’s diverse residents, with a particular focus on youth, marginalized communities, and those who may not typically engage with poetry.”

 

Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):

The Poet Laureate engages the community around literary arts, a topic of interest to many community members.

 

Financial Impact:

Honoraria for the Poet Laureate is $2,000 per year, for a two-year appointment - from the Municipal Art Fund. An additional $750 is available for reimbursable expenses.

 

Options:

1.                     Move to approve the appointment of Ocean as Poet Laureate for 2025-2027.

2.                     Do not approve the recommendation for the 2025-2027 Poet Laureate.

3.                     Provide an alternate direction to the Arts Commission.

 

Attachments:

Ocean Application

Ocean Reading