POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Prince William County Poet Laureate 2026-2028 serves to promote an awareness of poetry and heighten appreciation of the art form. The selected candidate will forge a meaningful connection between poetry and the community by participating in public gatherings, initiating engaging dialogue with residents, and undertaking a project or series of projects which makes poetry more available and accessible to people in their everyday lives.

This position is to be filled by a poet who contributes to the local poetry scene, writes poetry of merit, and advocates arts and community collaboration. The candidate should be comfortable giving public presentations and engaging in public interactions.

ELIGIBILITY: Candidates must be age 21 or older, be a resident of the Greater Prince William area, and must maintain that residence during the two years while serving as laureate.

POSITION TENURE AND COMPENSATION: The 2026-2028 Prince William County Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term beginning and ending at our October crowning events. The Laureate will receive an honorarium of $500.00 per year. Direct questions to Alice Mergler and Cathy Hailey: mergleralice@gmail.com and haileycp@gmail.com. Thank you for helping us to choose our next laureate.

OBJECTIVES and DUTIES:

● Participate in Poet Laureate Circle activities and public readings

● Participate in Arts Alive and other community poetry activities.

● Inspire and encourage others in an understanding and sharing of poetry and other personal creative expressions.

● Participate in the Poet Laureate Day programs and celebrated on Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend. These include the Crowning Ceremony and In the Company of Laureates. Create and present at least one outreach or educational project that connects literacy arts with the Greater Prince William community

SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications will undergo review by a panel of invited judges from various positions in the community. After judges individually read portfolios anonymously, a qualified poet, usually an emeritus poet laureate, facilitates the discussion to elevate particular nominees to the top. A discussion of optional recordings, project proposals, nomination statements, and resumes follow (in that order) to determine the final candidate. After the competitive nomination process, final recommendation(s) of the Poet Laureate Selection Panel are presented to the coordinators of The Prince William Poet Laureate Circle for position appointment beginning Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend–October 10/11, 2026.

APPLICATIONS:

To apply, fill out the nomination form below and prepare 2-5 documents (outlined below), and attach them to a single email to mergleralice@gmail.com and haileycp@gmail.com.

Document 1 (required)

Submit a portfolio of 3-5 poems, no more than 6 pages in a single document (Word or PDF). Please do not include any reference to the name of the poet on the page or within the poetry.

New this year (optional): you may choose two of these poems to read/perform and record (audio only), but this is optional. If you choose to use Zoom for the recording, please change your name to Anonymous and turn your camera off. For audio recordings please send .mp3 or .wav files.

Document 2 (required)

Submit a project proposal. Provide a description of no more than 300 words detailing how you would contribute as the Prince William Poet Laureate based on the position description and objectives of the program. Please do not put your name on any of these pages.

Examples of Ways the Nominee May Choose to Contribute:

● Present a program that combines poetry with other writing genres or the visual/performing arts.

● Present a series of poetry workshops for school or senior center programs.

● Promote poetry in public places, such as transportation hubs, grocery stores, parks and public gatherings.

Document 3 (optional)

Submit a Literary/Arts Resume. List any awards, publications, teaching positions and similar achievements related to poetry/writing/arts.

Document(s) 4/5 (optional)

Submit Letter(s) of Support. Include up to two letters or statements of support for the nominee, one from individuals or organizations in the Greater Prince William County community and one from individuals or organizations that may be within or outside of the Greater Prince William County community. Your Nominator Statement, if applicable, serves as one statement of support. Letters of Support are not required.