To Whom It May Concern,
The Ripon Arts League is requesting to receive the 2nd year of the funding for the Poet Laureate Program. The following are the planned activities to be completed in the 2025-26 year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026):in the amount of $5,000.
Duties of the Poet Laureate:
The Poet Laureate will contribute at least 1 poetic work annually dedicated to and about the City of Ripon and read it at a City Council meeting.
The Poet Laureate will coordinate and advertise at a minimum of four (4) of the following events each year of the Memorandum of Understanding:
● Promote poetry and the literary arts in conjunction with events at the public library or schools.
● Host teen events such as spoken word events, poetry slams, or book clubs at the Ripon Library
● Contribute poetry and literary works that promote literacy in the community's educational programs and the citizens at-large.
● Host early childhood literacy programs, including story time, at the Ripon Library ● Provide a free poetry workshop open to the general public at the Ripon Library Events which the Poet Laureate may contribute poetic work may include: Ripon Almond Blossom Festival
Labor Day events
Memorial Day events
Veterans’ Day events,
Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
President’s Day
Historical events
Special occasions as they occur
The Poet Laureate needs to be willing to mentor the next Poet Laureate.
Respectfully Submitted,
Suzanne Fisher
Board member of the Ripon Arts League, Chair of the Poet Laureate Committee