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Poetry downtown: Express yourself and show kindness in Saskatoon

City strives to meet poet laureate challenge.
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Selected poems will be displayed in directory boxes on 3rd Avenue in downtown Saskatoon.

SASKATOON — The City of Saskatoon and Downtown Saskatoon have partnered to bring Poetry Downtown, a public poetry project inspired by Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada Louise Halfe's challenge to municipalities.

The project aims to reflect on the theme of “Kindness - acts of” and provide opportunities for artistic expression in the city centre.

The call for submissions is open to emerging and established poets who are Saskatoon residents. Ten poems will be selected and displayed on posters in the directory boxes on 3rd Avenue in Downtown Saskatoon. Poems should be between four and 20 lines, and poets may submit up to three entries.

The project will run from Oct. 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Selected poets will be provided with a $250 fee and will be asked to participate in one of two public walking tours for the project, for which they will receive a $30 reading fee.

Selected poems will be designed into a themed poster design, with each poster featuring one poem. The City of Saskatoon and Downtown Saskatoon will publicize selected poets and their posters through newsletters, social media posts and websites.

The deadline for applications is June 30, 2023. For more information on selection criteria and submission requirements, please visit saskatoon.ca/artsandculture.