Stratford City Council’s agenda for tonight includes a new proposed poetry program.
At its Nov. 12 meeting, council will vote on whether to create the Stratford Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate Program.
The three-year pilot program, set to launch on Dec. 2 pending endorsement from council, will establish the two new roles.
The report states that the “roles will be instrumental in supporting and showcasing Stratford’s literary and spoken word communities while also encouraging dialogue and cultural expression across generations”.
The program is being done in collaboration with Destination Stratford and the Stratford Public Library.
The poet laureate selected will be aged 25 or older who actively writes poetry and focuses on themes that are relevant to the people who live in Stratford and area. Their three-year term will see a $2,500 per year honorarium.
The youth poet laureate will be a poet between the ages of 14 and 24 who focuses on themes relevant to local youth and will have a one-year term with a $1,000 honorarium.
The funds for the honorariums will come from Destination Stratford’s 2025 budget.
A selection committee will be formed shortly, following final approval from council tonight.
