The City of Murfreesboro will recognize its second inaugural Painter, Photography, and Poet Laureates in 2018, with a term beginning in July of this year and ending in June of 2019. Cultural Arts is calling on all local, professional artists specializing in poetry, photography, or painting to submit for this opportunity.
Laureate programs exist across many cities as well as nationally. The role of the laureate is to serve as the City’s selected Laureate for a one-year term and during that time will complete new work inspired by Murfreesboro, will exhibit their craft at city events, and will complete a number of community outreach arts related projects that will target non-traditional and/or under-served audiences. To be considered for the Laureate Program candidates must live in Murfreesboro, must fill out a program application, and must agree to the responsibilities of the Laureate.
The goals of beginning the Cultural Arts Laureate Program are to give experienced individual artists an opportunity to share their talents with their community, to give youth citizens and new artists role models within their own community, and to encourage and nurture a growing arts culture in Murfreesboro. The desired outcomes of this initiative are that each year the selected Laureates will use their craft to make impacts on their community that they will find rewarding and continue to give time to after their term, that this program will encourage artists to set goals within their own community, and that the community will be served by the arts and lives will be enriched by the work the Laureates accomplish.
Last year’s laureates have been featured in various news outlets throughout the year highlighting their many efforts to educate others about their craft. Poet Laureate, Kory Wells, has been growing her Poetry in the Boro group as well as advocating for poetry and the arts at a wide variety of special events and workshops. Painter Laureate Ginny Togrye has worked closely with the Discovery Center on several projects as well as with Ready Set Rutherford to create an artist directory. She has also organized a number of arts demonstrations around town. Photographer Laureate, Jessica Nelson, has started the successful photography group – Photography Connect Murfreesboro, and is organizing a large community photo show to be held at the City Hall Rotunda. All three artists will be concluding their terms with a collaborative exhibit on display at the City Hall Rotunda June 26th through August 3rd.
The entire Cultural Arts team is excited to see what new ideas and aspirations the next three laureates will have and are eager to meet many of Murfreesboro’s most talented artists in the process. All eligible artists are encouraged to apply and to share this opportunity with others. Applications for the 2018/2019 Painter, Photography, and Poet Laureates will be accepted now through May 5th at the following link: www.culturalartsmurfreesboro.submittable.com
For more information please contact Pam Williams at pwilliams@murfreesborotn.gov, or 615-867-7244