Governor Lincoln D. Chafee joined with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts today to announce the start of a process to select a new State Poet. Governor Chafee began by thanking Lisa Starr of Block Island, who has completed her five year term as Poet Laureate of Rhode Island.
"Lisa Starr has served our state well – and I am personally grateful for the wonderful poem she read at my inauguration as Governor," Governor Chafee said. "I know that Lisa will be glad not to have to travel from Block Island to the mainland quite as frequently, but on behalf of the people of our state I am grateful for her commitment over the past five years. I am excited to launch the search process for our next State Poet and look forward to working with the Arts Council to review interested candidates."
The position of Rhode Island State Poet was established by law in 1989, and is traditionally held by an artist who represents the highest achievement in poetry in our state. While no specific duties are mentioned in the legislation, the State Poet serves as the principal advocate for poetry in Rhode Island. Previous state poets are Michael Harper (1989-1994) and C.D. Wright (1994-1999) and Thomas Chandler (1999-2006). Chandler's served until he was replaced by Starr in 2006.
All qualified nominees must be a working poet and a resident of Rhode Island. Candidates must have had no fewer than two collections of poetry published in book form (privately published titles are ineligible), and must agree to maintain residency in Rhode Island during their term if selected. Any Rhode Island citizen may submit a nomination for State Poet; self-nominations will also be accepted, providing that the candidate meets all the eligibility requirements listed above. The deadline for applying is Friday, November 2, 2012.
Any Rhode Island citizen may submit a nomination for State Poet; self-nominations will also be accepted, providing that the candidate meets all the eligibility requirements listed above. Nomination forms may be obtained via the web at http://www.arts.ri.gov/statepoet/
Completed nomination forms and support materials must be postmarked by Friday, November 2, 2012. They should be mailed to: Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, One Capitol Hill, 3rd floor, Providence, RI 02908. Individuals can only be nominated by way of submitting an official form and incomplete nomination submissions will not be accepted.
About the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency, supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. For more information on RISCA and its programs, please visit http://www.arts.ri.gov.