Anythink and Adams County Announce Inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate Residency

The logo for the Adams County Poet Laureate residency sits next to a typewriter.

Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts (POSCA), in partnership with Anythink Libraries, seeks an experienced poet, performer, and artist to serve as the inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate and idea ambassador for a two-year residency. The Poet Laureate Residency provides a local, recognized poet an opportunity to advance their art, advocate and promote their literature and work, and serve as a public face for Adams County.

The Adams County Poet Laureate will engage directly with Adams County residents of all ages and backgrounds and create original works inspired by their experience. They will spark and fuel civic dialogue, amplify voices, break down barriers between our community and poetry as an art form, and continue to enrich the lives of Adams County residents through access to arts and culture. They will serve a two-year term and receive a stipend to develop and execute this inaugural residency in communities across the county. The program will have three main components: a public programming series, commissioned poetry and original works, and public readings. 

“Adams County is honored to partner with Anythink Libraries to launch the inaugural Adams County Poet Laureate Residency,” says Steve O’Dorisio, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “This program represents an incredible opportunity to connect with our communities in a deep, impactful way, and to advance the literary arts. The selected artist will represent and elevate the voices of the residents of Adams County, and we are humbled to play a role in making it happen.”

According to UNESCO, poetry speaks to our common humanity and our shared values, transforming the simplest of poems into a powerful catalyst for dialogue and peace. It has been practiced throughout history in every culture on every continent and is considered one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.

“The Adams County Poet Laureate Program will help foster dialogue in our region, offer spaces for people to connect, and empower our community through words, expression, and storytelling,” says Anythink Director of Strategic Partnerships Stacie Ledden. “Anythink is thrilled to partner with Adams County on this program. The residency will not only support the development of a local poet, but it will facilitate community conversations, readings, and other programs that will make poetry more accessible for everyone in our community to experience and enjoy.”

The competitive selection process includes an open call for entry and is open to eligible Colorado-based poets with a connection to Adams County. Artists must have an established body of work including published/self-published works, reading/spoken word, and performance experience, as well as community project planning experience. The call for entry is currently open and can be accessed at bit.ly/adamscountypoet. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 14. The selected poet will be announced mid-June, and the residency will be held from July 2023 - July 2025.

About Adams County

With rich traditions and history, Adams County offers the best of suburban and rural life – vibrant cities, quiet towns, and miles of recreation. Located in the Denver metro area, Adams County is the state’s fifth-largest county serving a population of nearly 520,000 residents. Adams County is home to the cities of Brighton, Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, and Thornton; portions of Arvada, Aurora, and Westminster; the town of Bennett; and a portion of the town of Lochbuie. Unincorporated communities include Henderson, Strasburg, and Watkins. Stay up to date on the latest county news and information on adcogov.org, Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and Instagram.

About Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts

Adams County Parks, Open Space & Cultural Arts (POSCA) strives to significantly enhance quality of life, enrich communities, and INSPIRE. POSCA is dedicated to the growth and evolution of the arts in our communities. Our vision is to be an inclusive community where everyone can enjoy a rich diversity of art and culture experiences. Stay connected: adcogov.org/parks, Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor, and Instagram.