Poet Laureate

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Edmonton’s Poet Laureate Program is supported jointly by the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library (EPL) and the Edmonton Arts Council (EAC).

Shima Aisha Robinson

Shima Aisha Robinson is an amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton) born student, community builder, poet and spoken word artist who embodies, with every literary and scholarly effort, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name: Dwennimmen.

Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision-of-language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners toward greater understanding and poignant reflection.

She is the author of two books including HORN (2016), Denseverse (self-published), and Bellow (2022, Glass House Press). She works in the arts as the Artistic Producer for the Edmonton Poetry Festival Society, and for the Fringe Theatre as the Learning and Outreach Manager.

Shima will serve a two-year term as Edmonton’s 10th Poet Laureate, from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.

Follow her website www.denseverse.net.

Role of the Poet Laureate

The role of a Poet Laureate is to reflect the life of a city through readings of poetry. As an ambassador for the literary arts, the Laureate incorporates poetry into a range of official and informal city activities.

Terms and Responsibilities

Edmonton's Poet Laureate is expected to:

serve as Poet Laureate for 2 years
assume the role of literary ambassador for the City of Edmonton both within and outside of the City
produce at least 3 original works each year
appear and present works of significance to the citizens of Edmonton:
- at least once a year in front of City Council
- at least once a year at a City-sponsored fundraising or charity event
- at a minimum of 2 City of Edmonton official functions each year
- undertake to begin and contribute to a historical archive of events and poetry

Remuneration

The Poet Laureate will receive an honorarium of $10,000 for each year of their term.

Copyright

The Poet Laureate retains copyright to original materials produced in their official capacity.

The Poet Laureate retains the right to sell and otherwise use poetry created in their official capacity, however, the City will retain exclusive rights to at least 1 of the Poet's poems each year until the Poet Laureate's term expires. The City agrees to use said poem(s) exclusively as a tool to promote awareness and literacy, not for financial gain.

Program Background

Historically, a Poet Laureate served as the official chronicler of state events and occasions. In ancient times, the Laureate was the central means for recording and communicating history. "Laureate" comes from the Latin word 'laureatus', meaning adorned with a crown of laurel, an honour also bestowed on the earliest Olympic athletes.

The creation of this position confirms the city's support for the arts in general, and for the literary arts in particular.

A jury, assembled by the Edmonton Arts Council, selects a new Poet Laureate every 2 years.

Across Canada today, there are Poet Laureates representing cities such as Toronto and Brantford in Ontario, Halifax, Nova Scotia, St. John's, Newfoundland, as well as the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada.

For More Information

Council Services Communications

Email	councilservices@edmonton.ca