TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Library Services Department and the Arts Council of Long Beach to establish a Youth Poet Laureate Program in Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach is a city that prides itself on its commitment to education, literacy, and the
arts. In the past two years, the City has opened the state-of-the-art Michelle Obama
Neighborhood Library, increased hours at multiple branch libraries through the addition
of Sunday hours, and is near completion on the construction of the new Main Library.
Likewise, the City boasts an esteemed partnership with local non-profit, the Arts Council
for Long Beach (Arts Council), whose mission is "to foster creativity and culture, enliven
communities and enable a thriving creative economy." Long Beach is home to a vibrant
art community, as art is displayed across the City in many forms: as performances in our
public spaces, murals on building walls, and observed in the shape of spoken and written
word.
Establishing a Youth Poet Laureate Program in Long Beach would further enhance the
city's current literacy and arts programming, with a focus on uplifting and celebrating the
youth voice. Across the country, 35 cities have followed the City of New York's lead in
establishing a Youth Poet Laureate Program, including Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle,
Houston, and Baltimore. The goals of most of these programs are similar: to capture the
essence of the city, to inspire creativity in all residents, and to bring the literary arts to
people who may have limited access or few opportunities to poetry or expressive writing.
These can be done through classes or workshops at branch libraries, publjc readings,
poetry festivals, and original works. Youth Poet Laureate Programs also foster youth
leadership and development through creativity, civic and community engagement, as
youth serve as official ambassadors of their city's literary arts community.
City staff should explore various ways to ensure tha...
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