title
ADOPT A MOTION APPROVING THE STOCKTON ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO APPOINT JAZMARIE LATOUR AS POET LAUREATE AND TAMA BRISBANE AS POET LAUREATE EMERITUS
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a motion to:
1. Approve the recommendation by the Stockton Arts Commission and appoint Jazmarie LaTour as the City of Stockton Poet Laureate for one two-year term effective October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025, with an additional two-year mutual renewal option.
2. Approve the recommendation by the Stockton Arts Commission and appoint Tama Brisbane as City of Stockton Poet Laureate Emeritus.
It is further recommended that the motion authorize the City Manager to take necessary action to complete the intent of this motion including the execution of all necessary documents and agreements.
body
Summary
In 2014, the City Council approved a Poet Laureate program. Following approval, the Stockton Arts Commission (SAC) conducted an interview and evaluation process culminating in the recommendation of Tama Brisbane as the City’s first Poet Laureate, Ms. Brisbane has served as the City’s Poet Laureate since its inception in July 2015 through June 30, 2023.
On March 6, 2023, SAC initiated the recruitment process for the next Poet Laureate. The recruitment closed on May 30, 2023. One application was received. On June 5, 2023, SAC extended the recruitment to June 30, 2023. Five applications were received and reviewed by a SAC ad hoc committee. Applications were evaluated based on several factors including: the poet’s body of work and publications, a strong connection to Stockton, ability to express an awareness of the past, present, and future of Stockton; and the ability to champion Stockton’s potential. Applicants were interviewed by a SAC ad hoc committee and the current Poet Laureate. Jazmarie LaTour was selected as the most qualified applicant.
At the August 7, 2023, meeting of the SAC, the Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to the City Council that Jazmarie LaTour be appointed to the Poet Laureate position, and Tama Brisbane be granted the title of Poet Laureate Emeritus. If approved, the appointment will be effective October 1, 2023, with a term of two years ending September 30, 2025, with an option, by mutual acceptance, to extend one additional two-year term.
DISCUSSION
Background
In November 2014, the City Council approved funding for several projects consistent with its strategic priority areas of focus. Through the process, Council appropriated $2,000 for a Poet Laureate to promote awareness of poetry and the literary arts in Stockton with the selection process to be conducted by SAC and program supervision to be under the direction of the Community Services Department. Specific duties of the Poet Laureate include commemorating specific civic events through composing and reading poetry. The main responsibilities of the Poet Laureate are to provide a minimum of six readings per fiscal year as approved by the Director of Community Services and promote literary arts activities in Stockton. A scope of services which describes the Poet Laureate’s general duties is included as Attachment A.
Following Council approval, SAC conducted a process to select and recommend the first Poet Laureate. On July 21, 2015, the City Council approved the SAC recommendation to appoint Tama Brisbane as the inaugural Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate’s term ended June 30, 2019.
On December 31, 2018, SAC initiated the recruitment process for the 2019-2021 Poet Laureate. The vacancy announcement was posted on the City’s Boards and Commissions web page. A request to publish a public service announcement was sent to the Stockton Record, City of Stockton affiliated agencies, and local organizations. The recruitment closed on January 31, 2019. Five applications were received. Two were deemed incomplete, and three were sent to SAC for evaluation and a recommendation.
A SAC ad hoc committee met on February 26, 2019, to evaluate the applications. Applications were evaluated for the poet’s body of work; publications; a strong connection to Stockton; ability to express an awareness of the past, present, and future of Stockton; and the ability to champion Stockton’s potential. Evaluations were followed by interviews and the performance of an original piece of poetry. Tama Brisbane was selected as the most qualified applicant. At the March 4, 2019, meeting of the SAC, the ad hoc committee presented, and the Commission unanimously approved a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council that Tama Brisbane be appointed as the Poet Laureate. The appointment was effective July 1, 2019, with a term of two years, ending June 30, 2021, with an option, by mutual acceptance, to extend one additional two-year term. Ms. Brisbane and the City exercised that mutual option and Ms. Brisbane continued to serve as the City’s Poet Laureate until June 30, 2023.
On March 6, 2023, SAC initiated the recruitment process for the 2023 - 2025 Poet Laureate and recommended to increase the number of readings from the Poet Laureate from six to ten readings. They also voted to increase stipend for the next Poet Laureate from $2,000 to $3,500.
Present Situation
The term of the City’s first Poet Laureate has ended. SAC has conducted an evaluation process and selected Jazmarie LaTour as the best candidate for Poet Laureate based on her published work, poetry, spoken word, and literary compositions.
The Stockton Arts Commission recommends the appointment of Jazmarie LaTour effective October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2025. Jazmarie LaTour will be paid an annual stipend of $3,500. The position includes one additional mutual option to continue the program for an additional two-year term October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027.
Poet Laureate, Tama Brisbane held the Poet Laureate role from July 21, 2015 through June 30, 2023. The position has been vacant since Ms. Brisbrane’s long and distinguished service to the City of Stockton, it is recommended that she be appointed Poet Laureate Emeritus.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Sufficient funds are available for the Poet Laureate program in the Community Services Recreation - Stockton Arts Commission account 5000-806-630019-100-125-50-50-000-000-.
Attachment A - Poet Laureate Scope of Services