The Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister Responsible for Culture and Heritage today announced the appointment of Prince Edward Island's first Poet Laureate, Dr. John Smith.
"Our province has a long literary tradition and a part of that tradition is how we express ourselves in poetry," says Minister MacFadyen. "It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. John Smith to the post of Poet Laureate for Prince Edward Island and wish him well as he serves to promote poetry, Island poets and a higher level of literacy in this province throughout the next two years."
The title of Poet Laureate dates from the 1600s, and many countries, provinces and cities have named poet laureates to celebrate poetry in their jurisdictions.
Dr. John Smith came to the province to join the faculty of Prince of Wales College in the 1960s and is the author of five volumes of poetry published over a twenty-year period. For many years, he taught English at the University of Prince Edward Island and is now Professor Emeritus. His stature as a poet is recognized across the country.
"Over the next two years, we will be working with Dr. Smith to create awareness of poetry and of poets, and I am very pleased that Professor Smith has agreed to serve," said Minister MacFadyen.
Government's action in creating this honourary post comes as a direct result of suggestions from the PEI Council of the Arts and the PEI Writers Guild.
BACKGROUNDER
PROVINCIAL POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
Background:
Poetry of excellence has been one of the great achievements of Prince Edward Islanders. Individuals such as John LePage, Larry Gorman and Lawrence Doyle were well-known in the 19th century. In the 20th century, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Milton Acorn are among the Islanders recognized for poetic ability. The creation of the post of provincial poet laureate helps to honour individuals who have made a major contribution to the literary life of the province.
The tradition of crowning poets with a wreath of laurel dates from classical Greece and became an institution in 1688 with the designation of the first British poet laureate. Since then, several countries, states, and cities have established the post. The custom honours the very best of poets and generally takes into consideration the whole writing career of an individual rather than one specific work.
Objectives of the PEI Poet Laureate Program:
1. To celebrate Prince Edward Island and its people;
2. To raise the profile of Prince Edward Island poets;
3. To promote a higher standard of literacy;
4. To raise public awareness of poetry and of the spoken word;
5. To create a spokesperson for literature in general and poetry in particular; and
6. To provide a focal point for the expression of Prince Edward Island culture and heritage through the literary arts.
Selection Criteria:
The Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island will be active and recognized as a poet of stature who has published at least one volume of poetry within the last ten years with a reputable publishing house or whose body of work over the years has brought honour to themselves and the province
Poetry produced and presented in other formats besides print may also be considered providing it is acknowledged to be of the highest quality.
Poetry produced in either the English or French language shall be considered in making the selection of poet laureate.
The poet laureate must be a full-time resident of Prince Edward Island and have been a resident of the province for at least the five years preceding the appointment.
Age, gender and ethnic background shall not be considered as factors in selecting poet laureates.
Duties of the Poet Laureate:
The poet laureate shall undertake such activities to promote the objectives of the office as may be appropriate, including but not limited to: composing poetry related to legislative or state occasions and events of significance, visiting schools, presenting or arranging poetry readings and assisting with writing workshops or other activities.
Selection Committee:
The selection committee shall be named bi-annually by the Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs and shall consist of the poet laureate whose term is ending (except in the first year), a nominee of the University of Prince Edward Island and two nominees of the PEI Council of the Arts who have knowledge of literary activities in the province. In the first year of the program the nominees from the University and the Council of the Arts shall together select the fourth member of the committee.
Tenure:
The poet laureate shall be appointed for a two-year term. The term of the poet laureate shall not be renewed or extended.
Honourarium:
The poet laureate shall receive an honourarium to be established by the minister. In addition, the minister may provide reimbursement of in-province travel expenses and other expenses of the poet laureate related to the appointment provided that such expenses have been approved in advance.