Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.P
Meeting Date: October 14, 2026
From: Anne V. Ambrose, Assistant City Manager
Title: Approve the Public Arts Commission's Recommendation to Start a Cathedral City Poet Laureate Program
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Public Arts Commission’s recommendation to start a Cathedral City Poet Laureate Program, with Clare Chu serving as the City’s first Poet Laureate.
BACKGROUND:
At the May 12, 2026 Public Arts Commission meeting, Clare Chu addressed the Commission during public comment to propose the creation of a poet laureate position for Cathedral City and her desire to volunteer her time to lead this effort for a two-year term. Her volunteer work would include the creation of a job description for the volunteer position.
Ms. Chu’s professional background includes a career as an art curator, dealer, lecturer and author of fifteen books on Asian art. As a poet, she has published three collections, including a forthcoming full-length book. She serves as an editor of The Comstock Review, was a 2021 Pushcart Prize nominee, and became Poet-In-Residence at Jim Budman Studio in 2026.
Locally, Ms. Chu is Co-President of The Perez Art District and co-owner of Blasto Boy Guitars, located in the district where she has organized poetry readings and workshops in the community space located in the guitar store.
On July 2, 2026, Chair Liebelt and commission liaison Ambrose met with Ms. Chu to further explore her ideas. On July 14, the Public Arts Commission met to hear more about the proposal and to consider a recommendation to create a poet laureate program for Cathedral City. The Commission voted unanimously in support of the program and recommending Ms.
Chu as the first Poet Laureate.
DISCUSSION:
Ms. Chu’s proposal for a poet laureate position is attached. She proposed serving as Cathedral City's first poet laureate by promoting poetry as an accessible and engaging component of the City's arts and cultural programming. She has offered her time and talents to develop a job description and scope of work to implement the program. Following Ms.
Chu’s initial term in the position, the City would put out a call for poets to serve in subsequent years. The proposal aligns with Cathedral City's ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and fostering community engagement through creative expression.
The poet laureate would serve as a literary ambassador for the City by developing partnerships with local schools, the Cathedral City Library, the Senior Center, youth organizations, assisted-living communities, businesses, and arts organizations to present poetry readings, workshops, and other literary programming. Staff have already met with Ms. Chu to discuss participation opportunities in city-sponsored events. The PAC subcommittee and Ms. Chu have met to further discuss workplans for the year.
The proposal places a strong emphasis on collaboration and interdisciplinary programming.
Building on prior experience organizing literary events that incorporate visual arts and other creative disciplines, Ms. Chu intends to continue developing partnerships with local artists, cultural organizations, and businesses to create community-centered arts experiences that showcase Cathedral City's creative talent.
As a signature initiative, Ms. Chu proposed the creation of Voices of Cathedral City, a community literary project that would invite residents of all ages and backgrounds to contribute original poems and creative writing inspired by their experiences living in Cathedral City. Over the proposed two-year term, the project would create a community literary archive reflecting the City's history, diversity, neighborhoods, and shared experiences while encouraging broad public participation in the literary arts. Further development of costs for such an event would need to be developed at a later time if the idea is supported by the commission.
The applicant's vision for the Poet Laureate Program is to expand opportunities for residents to engage with poetry through education, public programming, and community partnerships while celebrating Cathedral City's diverse voices and cultural identity. The proposed activities are intended to enhance the City's existing arts initiatives, encourage civic participation through the literary arts, and further establish Cathedral City as a community that values creativity, cultural expression, and lifelong learning.
As a volunteer of the City, Ms. Chu will report to the Assistant City Manger (who also serves as the Public Arts Liaison). The Public Arts Commission assigned a subcommittee to work with Ms. Chu consisting of Vice Chair Stouder and Commissioner Minshall.
Without the willingness of a volunteer to build and implement the program, staff would not have the capacity to do this work.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The is no fiscal impact for this item. If the Public Arts Commission determines a need to allocate any of their budget towards this program, it will come back to the City Council for approval at a future meeting.
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal F – Embracing, Inclusive Community
F-3 Promote additional community events and celebrations ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposal
2. Draft Job Description
3. Draft Work Plan
4. PAC Staff Report