City Council Meeting Date: September 19, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Teresa Jensen, Library & IT Director
Title
Consider Grant Application process for 2018 SEMAC Grant by the Northfield Public Library for the Northfield Poet Laureate
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council authorizes the Northfield Public Library, in partnership with the Arts and Culture Commission, to develop and submit a grant application to the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council for the funding for programming related to City of Northfield Poet Laureate initiative.
Summary Report:
Rob Hardy, named Northfield Poet Laureate in the fall of 2016, continues in his second year of his three-year appointment. Rob has initiated many poetry-related events in Northfield in 2016-2017, including:
* Regular poetry readings and events at the Northfield Public Library and at Content Books.
* Served as a judge for the Arcadia Charter School Poetry Out Loud competition
* Participated in numerous literary events at the Northfield Arts Guild.
* Taught poetry workshops for Northfield Public School students
* Brought nationally known poets to Northfield for poetry events
* Wrote and presented original poetry for numerous civic events, including the opening 2017 City Council meeting
* Promoted poetry though the Poet Laureate website and the Poet Laureate Facebook page
* Played a prominent role in the organization and promotion of the 2017 Sidewalk Poetry competition
* Promoted the 2017 Poem in Your Pocket Day
* Promoted/championed local poets and poetry in Northfield
* Created a series of Writers Night events featuring local poets and their writings at the Northfield Public Library
* Started the Poetry Club at Greenvale School
* Presented a poetry workshop and discussion for Prairie Creek Community School staff
* Created a youth advisory group with Northfield High School students to help plan events and opportunities for young poets in Northfield
* Taught poetr...
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