City of Malibu Accepting Applications for the Next Malibu Poet Laureate, Through May 18

Applications are being accepted for the 2025-2027 Malibu Poet Laureate through Sunday, May 18, 2025. The City of Malibu is seeking residents and affiliates who will focus on elevating the literary arts, both in Malibu and outside communities, while representing the City for a two-year term.

Applications, including all supplemental materials, must be received during the open submission period from April 7, 2025, through May 18, 2025. Applications will only be accepted online. To apply, visit the Arts Commission website.

Mayor Marianne Riggins commented, "The City honors and thanks outgoing Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall, who served as the 2023-2025 Poet Laureate. Poets and artists are the voice and spirit of a community. All of Malibu should be proud of how our Poet Laureate program has developed and is fostering appreciation and creation of literary arts among youth and building community bonds in this detached, digital era. I encourage all poets in Malibu to apply to be our next Poet Laureate."

During his term, Malibu Poet Laureate Nathan Hassall has continued the long tradition of coordinating poetry workshops and events, including Caffeinated Verse, The Ripple Effect: A Generative Poetry Workshop, Poetry Jubilations, Annual Poetry Summit, Arts and Education poetry workshops at local schools, poetry in parks, and open mic poetry sessions. These programs are highly popular, fun, interactive, educational, and uplift and inspire multi-generational audiences.

Nathan has a Master's degree in Creative Writing, focusing on Poetry, from the University of Kent, UK. He has published numerous poems, interviews, and reviews in various magazines and received awards for his work. During his term, he has taken a proactive role in promoting poetry in the community, engaging in initiatives including teaching at Malibu Elementary, Webster Elementary, and Malibu High School. He attended numerous City events and works as a freelance book editor in poetry and other genres and is co-founder of The Burnal Co., an emotional well-being organization.

Following the open application process, a five-member Malibu Poet Laureate Committee will review the applications and recommend an individual to serve as the Poet Laureate from 2025-2027. The Committee's selection will be presented to the Malibu Arts Commission during the summer for review. The Commission will provide a final recommendation to the City Council for approval.

The Poet Laureate's term formally starts on September 2, 2025, and ends on September 1, 2027, and includes an annual stipend.

BACKGROUND
The City Council received and approved a recommendation by the Arts Commission to create the Poet Laureate program in November 2016. The Cultural Arts Commission's goal is for the Poet Laureate to forever keep poetry as an integral piece of the community's artistic landscape. While the importance of poetry in literature needs no explanation, it is often the art form that receives the least support in community arts programming.

The Poet Laureate acts as the official Consultant in Poetry to the City of Malibu and the Malibu Library, and participates in or creates one Poetry Invitational event each year. The Poet Laureate also represents the City at literary and poetry events, and works with the Laureate Committee to promote poetry and literary arts in local schools and the broader community. For more information, visit the Poetry webpage.