Poet Laureate of Philadelphia
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Poet Laureate of Philadelphia is a civic position in the City of Philadelphia.[1] The Poet Laureate has been described as an "Ambassador of Poetry".[2] The holder of the position is expected to actively promote literacy and encourage expression in the city.[1] As part of their position, they participate in service work, workshops and readings. One of their commitments is to mentor the Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia.[2]
The position was created by the City of Philadelphia during the city administration of Mayor Michael Nutter,[3] and continued under Mayor Jim Kenney.[4] It was originally managed by the city's Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy. As of 2017, administration of the program was transferred to the Free Library of Philadelphia.[5]
Poetry makes us remember the best of ourselves and others... it keeps us constantly confronting the most important question of this twenty-first century: what does it mean to be human?
āāSonia Sanchez, 2014[6]