AS SEEN IN THE VOLCANO >>>

As you may have already read, the Tacoma Poet Laureate program will be changing hands in 2011 -- going from the oversight of Tacoma's Urban Grace Church to the Tacoma Arts Commission. The Volcano's Kristin Kendle detailed the changes this week.

You can read about it here. (If you didn't already click on the link above.)

Below, you'll find the official press release which was sent out via the Tacoma Arts ListServ earlier this afternoon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 30, 2010
 
MEDIA CONTACTS
Naomi Strom-Avila, Community and Economic Development, nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5191
Taryn Kloster, Urban Grace, tkloster@urbangracetacoma.org, (253) 272-2184  (ext.104)
Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790

Tacoma Poet Laureate to be administered through Tacoma Arts Commission in 2011
The Urban Grace Church and the Tacoma Arts Commission are excited to announce the transition of the Tacoma Poet Laureate program to the City of Tacoma's Arts Program in 2011.

In November 2010, Tad Monroe, senior pastor at the Urban Grace Church, presented a request to the Tacoma Arts Commission to assume administration of the program.

"It was our intent at Urban Grace to use the Poet Laureate position as a way of increasing the exposure of poets and the poetry community in Tacoma and we feel we've done that," said Monroe. "By transitioning the program to the Tacoma Arts Commission and partnering with them, we feel we are creating the kind of capacity and relationships to grow and sustain the program in years to come."

The program was founded in 2008 by the Urban Grace Church as a way of focusing attention on Tacoma's literary talent by organizing and hosting public readings and workshops in local schools and at community events.

"It's exciting to have the City of Tacoma step up and become involved in supporting poetry in Tacoma," said current Poet Laureate Tammy Robacker. "The resources, staff, visibility and creativity of the City will only serve to grow this important program and keep a powerful genre of the literary arts thriving locally."

Urban Grace Church is recognized as a founding partner of the program and will remain involved by providing transitional oversight, a free location for performances and workshops and participating in support roles as requested. 

Under the City's direction, the Poet Laureate program terms will be for two years. Applications for the 2011-2113 Tacoma Poet Laureate position will be available in mid-January 2011.

###