The City of Vancouver is looking for its second Poet Laureate. Outgoing laureate George McWhirter says it was a great experience over the past two years.

“It was truly an honour to be Vancouver’s first Poet Laureate. I have greatly enjoyed opportunities to read and speak about poetry in diverse settings such as community centres, VanDusen Botanical Gardens, the Central Library, the Creative City Conversation and Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Vancouver Playhouse and at two Word on the Street festivals. I am sure my successor will find this important position equally gratifying.”

According to a Vancouver Public Library news release, submissions are invited from published poets currently living in the City of Vancouver, with either an established body of work or recognition for notable contributions early in their career.

The position will last for two years starting in May 2009, and pays a stipend of $3,500 per year. More information is available at vpl.ca and at the City’s Poet Laureate website.

Crawford Kilian is a contributing editor of The Tyee.