Current Arts Commission Calls

Overview

Chapel Hill Arts & Culture is seeking the next Chapel Hill Poet Laureate to inspire creativity and celebrate community through poetry, public programs, and shared poetry experiences. The Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for poetry, fostering connections to the poetry community and enhancing the social and civic life of the Chapel Hill community.

Position Details

• Two-year appointment: January 2027 – December 2028
• Compensation: $6,000 disbursed in multiple payments
• Finalist stipends: $200 per finalist for proposal presentation and in-person interview

Responsibilities

• Writing poems for special community occasions
• Performing at key community moments like festivals, events, and council meetings
• Creating experiences for poetry to be shared in the community
• Facilitating workshops or training opportunities
• Attending regularly scheduled meetings

Eligibility

• Poets 18+ with little, some, or substantial work published
• Active projects in the last 5 years
• Personal or professional connection to Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Residency in Chapel Hill preferred but not required

Application Deadline

5pm on Monday, September 14, 2026

Selection Process

Applicants will present their proposals and participate in in-person interviews.