Are Words Your Thing? You Could Be Danville’s Next Poet Laureate

Are you a wordsmith currently living in Danville?

If so, you could be the next poet laureate, one of several positions currently open on the town’s Arts Commission.

The duties are fairly straightforward: the applicant must have an appreciation for and knowledge of literary arts, and be able to serve as a liaison between the Arts Commission and local organizations. What’s more, the poet laureate is expected create and read poetry during town events.

The term length is two years, and you wouldn’t get paid, but the gig would add a fancy title to your resume. Applicants must be 18 or older.

Previous Danville poet laureates include Lea Kagel and Nancy Fraze, who wrote a welcome home poem for Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot credited with saving the lives of his passengers by landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in January 2009.

Meanwhile, four-year unpaid positions on the Arts Commission are also up for grabs. Duties include informing the City Council on arts events, updating the community calendar, and recommending policies that promote artistic expression in the town, officials say.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on May 17. Commissioners and the Danville's next poet laureate will be appointed at the June 20 City Council meeting.