How Dallas’ next poet laureate can nurture the arts | Opinion
Zihuatanejo was appointed in April 2022 as the city’s inaugural poet laureate. Slam poetry that blends energetic performance with soulful writing about growing up Mexican American in the barrios of Old East Dallas is his specialty.
He has been making poetry more accessible to Dallas residents through one-on-one workshops. He told us that he’s enjoyed reading poems by elementary schoolers and retirees, among others, and giving writers line-by-line feedback.Zihuatanejo said he has received private funding to display excerpts by Dallas poets on buses and in parks, an idea that’s still in the works.
The next poet laureate, whose term will begin April 2024, will also promote poetry, whether through workshops like Zihuatanejo does or other programs. He or she will be awarded a $20,000 grant and a book deal with the publisher Deep Vellum. Whoever steps into the role must continue making the arts accessible and help cultivate the next generation of writers in Dallas.
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