Feeling literary? Santa Clara County is now accepting applications for the position of poet laureate, to be selected in March 2013. The application deadline is Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.

To be eligible for this position, applicants must be five-year residents of the county and published or recognized for their poetic works. Upon submitting a written application to Arts Council Silicon Valley that includes background information and a proposal for the applicant's planned project as poet laureate, a peer review panel of poets selected by the Arts Council sorts through the candidates. Another committee interviews the finalists.

Gwendolyn Mitchell, director of the county's Office of Public Affairs and a member of the interview committee, says that while the committee is open to all creative proposal ideas, the poet laureate must create a "poetic identity" for the county.

"The person has to have a demonstrated commitment and passion for poetry, and also recognize the importance of engaging in civic discourse," Mitchell says. "We look for projects that are going to involve members of the community."

The best thing about poetry, Mitchell says, is its ability to touch anyone who listens. She says the poet laureate's primary duty is to bring a literary bent to the county that inspires and educates all members of the community.

"Poetry in particular is something that's really accessible to everyone, you can be thoughtful and reflect and capture your thoughts in a poem," Mitchell says. "It makes it possible for people to participate at every level."

Among other duties during the two-year term in office, the poet laureate must present poetry works at county-sponsored events, lead National Poetry Month activities and create projects that facilitate the distribution of poetry throughout the county. For his or her services, the poet laureate receives a modest honorarium.

Applications can be found at sccgov.org/poetlaureate and artscouncil.org. The Arts Council Silicon Valley can be reached for more information at poet@artscouncil.org, or by calling (408) 998 - 2787 ext 214.

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