We, along with our partners at Sustainable Southbury and the Southbury Arts and Culture Alliance (SACA), are excited to announce a new term for the Town Poet Laureate position! The Town Poet Laureate Committee is seeking applications from Southbury residents who are published poets.
Many towns and the state of Connecticut have Poet Laureate programs where candidates submit their work for review by a panel of judges. The winner represents the respective town or state, while promoting poetry and literacy. “Art and culture are an important part of our community and a Town Poet Laureate would be a welcome addition to our community," says First Selectman Jeff Manville.
The window for submissions is now through August 29, 2025. The Poet Laureate term would be October 31, 2025 to October 30, 2028. The chosen Town Poet Laureate is expected to present poetry and writing workshops in conjunction with the Southbury Public Library and support from the Southbury Arts and Culture Alliance and Sustainable Southbury.
The program is open to any Southbury resident over the age of 18 and has had published work.
What does a Poet Laureate do? A Poet Laureate engages in activities that promote the public enjoyment of poetry through public poetry readings, Open Poetry readings, presenting poetry at town events, and working with students and adults on poetry writing.
Applications can be found here and are due by August 29, 2025, and can be mailed or dropped off at our temporary location The Heritage Hotel at 522 Poverty Road, Southbury CT, Attn: Heather Aronson.