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