Heights Arts Seeks Applications for 12th Heights Poet Laureate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2024
Jeanne Li | marketing@heightsarts.org
Heights Arts Seeks Applications for 12th Heights Poet Laureate
Cleveland Heights, OH – Heights Arts, a multidisciplinary arts organization in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, is excited to announce the selection process for the cities’ 12th Heights Poet Laureate for a two-year term beginning April 2025 through April 2027. This upcoming term coincides with Heights Arts’ 25th anniversary.
The Heights Poet Laureate will receive a yearly stipend and participate in civic and community events, as well as manage Heights Arts’ popular Ekphrastacy – Artists Talk and Poets Respond series throughout their tenure.
History: The Cleveland Heights Poet Laureateship, established in 2000 by Heights Arts to celebrate and elevate poetry as an essential art form for the community, is the first and longest-running laureateship in the state of Ohio. In 2023, with the endorsement of both Cleveland Heights and University Heights, the laureateship expanded to become the Heights Poet Laureateship. Every two years, Heights Arts’ staff along with the Heights Writes Community Team of volunteers with expertise in the literary arts and the Heights community solicit applications to select a poet from the Cleveland area for this honor.
“We were thrilled to join Cleveland Heights in the Heights Poet Laureate program,” says University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan. “… and I look forward to our participating in the program going forward. University Heights is committed to supporting the arts. Adding poetry to our city events has been inspirational and has helped bring residents together.
The current Poet Laureate, Siaara Freeman, is a dynamic voice in the Cleveland poetry scene, a 2023 Room in the House fellow with Karamu Theater. Freeman is also a 2022 Catapult fellow with Cleveland Public Theater. Her accolades include the 2021 Premier Playwright fellowship with Cleveland Public Theater, the 2020 WateringHole Manuscript fellowship, and being a four-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize. Freeman’s work has appeared in The Journal, Josephine Quarterly, Cleveland Magazine, and other notable publications. She has gained recognition for her viral poems and has toured both nationally and internationally.
Poets interested in applying are encouraged to attend the Heights Poet Laureate Info Session via Zoom on November 11, at 12:00 PM. The meeting will be posted on the Heights Arts website for those who cannot attend. Applicants for the laureateship must commit to serving the full 24-month term if selected and must either be residents of Cleveland Heights or have a significant connection to the communities. Applications will be accepted from November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.
Poet Laureateship Description (revised 12.2024)
Poet Laureateship Application Guide(added 12.2024)
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Founded in 2000, Heights Arts (www.heightsarts.org) is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary arts organization whose mission is to celebrate the region’s literary, musical, and visual artists and share their contributions with the community. We cultivate a strong, diverse, and collaborative arts community by inspiring people of all ages to engage in the arts; supporting the arts through education; providing exhibition and performance opportunities; and fostering public appreciation for the arts.
Heights Arts is generously supported by funding from individuals, businesses, and organizations, including AHS Foundation; City of Cleveland Heights; City of University Heights; Cuyahoga Arts & Culture; Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation; Ohio Arts Council; The Arthur E, Elsie G, and Betty M Kranz Family Foundation; The Jean, Harry, and Brenda Fuchs Family Foundation; The Peggy and John Garson Family Foundation; and WWMR Foundation.
2175 Lee Road ∙ Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 ∙ 216.371.3457 ∙ www.heightsarts.org