TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Brinkman, Senior Recreation Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Consideration of Establishing a Poet Laureate Program for the City of Manhattan Beach and Allocation of Funds from Public Arts Fund (No Budget Impact) (Parks and Recreation Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 30 Min.)
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council review and discuss the proposed Poet Laureate Program concept, which was developed as part of the Cultural Arts Commission work plan, and provide direction on whether to move forward with establishing the program.
While the Cultural Arts Commission identified the Poet Laureate Program as a work plan priority, staff does not recommend establishing the program at this time due to limited demonstrated community need, competing arts priorities, and the additional administrative workload required to support a formal program.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
If approved, the program will be funded by the Public Arts Fund, which currently has a balance of $1,663,362. Of that balance, $1,009,494 is allocated to other projects/programs, leaving $653,868 unallocated.
The proposed Poet Laureate would receive $4,000 per year for a two-year term, for a total of $8,000. In addition, the Poet Laureate would receive a materials budget of up to $5,000 over the two-year term to support approved program activities and initiatives.
The total proposed allocation from the Public Arts Fund would be $13,000 per two-year Poet Laureate term.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Manhattan Beach has established a Public Arts Fund to support public and cultural arts initiatives that enhance the City's cultural environment and provide opportunities for community engagement. The Poet Laureate Program concept was initially developed at the request of the Cultural Arts Commission and approved for exploration by City Council as part of its 2025 work plan.
The Cultural Arts Commission has identified the development of a Poet Laureate Program as a priority in its work plan since 2025. The concept was developed in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Commission and City staff to expand the City's literary arts programming and to create a formal platform for a local poet to engage the community.
The Poet Laureate program would recognize an accomplished local poet as a cultural ambassador for the community. The selected poet would serve a two-year term and have the flexibility to develop public readings, educational programs, community engagement initiatives, and original work that reflects Manhattan Beach.
Rather than requiring a fixed schedule of activities, applicants would propose their own vision and programming for the two-year term.
DISCUSSION:
Through this report, staff is presenting the full program structure to allow the City Council to thoroughly evaluate the concept and determine whether it aligns with current City priorities. Although staff does not recommend establishing a Poet Laureate Program at this time, presenting the full proposal ensures that the City Council has the necessary information to make an informed decision and provide clear direction on future arts programming priorities.
Program Purpose
The proposed Manhattan Beach Poet Laureate Program aims to enrich the community through poetry, public engagement, and arts education. It would cultivate civic pride and deepen understanding of the ideas, traditions, history, and values that shape Manhattan Beach.
Through public readings, educational programs, and community-based initiatives, the Poet Laureate would promote awareness of and appreciation for poetry and literature among residents of all ages.
Role of the Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate would serve as both a cultural ambassador and an independent artist, responsible for creating meaningful opportunities for residents to engage with poetry.
The program is intentionally designed to provide the selected poet with a high degree of creative freedom. Applicants would be asked to submit a proposal outlining their vision for the two-year term, including potential programs, partnerships, community engagement activities, and other initiatives.
This approach would allow the program to evolve in response to the selected poet's artistic voice, areas of expertise, and understanding of the community while maintaining a defined set of minimum responsibilities.
Required Deliverables
At a minimum, the Poet Laureate would be responsible for:
• Producing at least four original poems per year for the City of Manhattan Beach, for a minimum of eight poems over the two-year term. These works would become part of the City's permanent collection.
• Collaborating with Manhattan Beach Library staff to develop and implement at least one program focused on engaging teen poets.
• Participating as a featured speaker or reader at a minimum of one City-designated event per year.
• Designing and implementing at least one poetry-focused program or event specifically for older adults during the two-year term.
• Designing and implementing at least one all-ages poetry program or community event during the two-year term.
In addition to these minimum requirements, the Poet Laureate would be encouraged to develop additional programs, partnerships, readings, workshops, and other creative initiatives that align with the program goals and the Poet Laureate's approved proposal.
All activities would be developed in coordination with Parks and Recreation staff to ensure appropriate use of City facilities and resources, effective scheduling, and alignment with City policies.
Term and Compensation
The proposed Poet Laureate would serve a two-year term aligned with the City's fiscal year. The Poet Laureate would receive $4,000 per year, for a total of $8,000 over the two-year term. A materials budget of up to $5,000 would also be available during the term to support approved program activities.
After completing the initial two-year term, the Poet Laureate would be eligible to apply for one additional two-year term. Selection for a second term would not be automatic and would be subject to the same eligibility and selection requirements established by the City.
Selection Process
The proposed Poet Laureate would be selected through a competitive application process led by the City's Art in Public Places Committee (APPC), with participation by members of the Cultural Arts Commission and representatives of the literary community.
A Parks and Recreation staff member would serve as a non-voting advisor to the selection panel and provide administrative support throughout the selection process.
Following the application and finalist process, the Cultural Arts Commission and APPC would submit a final recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
Current Cultural Arts Commission members, members of the selection committee, and their immediate family members would be ineligible to apply for the position.
Applicant Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Demonstrate residency in the South Bay.
• Submit a professional résumé or CV, including publication history, if applicable.
• Submit up to five pages of original poetry.
• Provide three professional references, including two letters of support.
• Demonstrate the ability to fulfill the two-year commitment.
Finalists would be required to submit a program proposal of no more than 1,000 words outlining their vision for the two-year term and to participate in a live reading of original work before the selection committee and the Cultural Arts Commission.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council not move forward with establishing a Poet Laureate Program at this time.
Staff recognizes the cultural value of poetry and its ability to foster creativity, community identity, and civic engagement. Manhattan Beach has a small but dedicated community of poets, and the City already supports poetry and creative expression through the Manhattan Beach Poetry Circle.
The Poetry Circle provides an existing community-based and intergenerational opportunity for residents to gather, share poetry, encourage creative expression, and build connections across generations. The program serves an identified community interest and provides a meaningful outlet for local poets without requiring the additional administrative structure and ongoing staff resources associated with a formal Poet Laureate Program. The City Council has also recognized the Poetry Circle annually, demonstrating the City’s continued appreciation and support for the group and its contributions to the community.
While staff recognizes the potential benefits of a Poet Laureate Program, establishing and maintaining a formal program would require additional staff time and resources to recruit and select a Poet Laureate, coordinate programming and public appearances, manage contracts, and provide ongoing administrative and program support. The program would also require staff to administer a specialized area of the arts that is outside the Department’s primary expertise and core service delivery.
Staff is also mindful of existing community arts priorities and the need to focus available resources on programs and initiatives that address broader community needs. While there is interest in poetry, staff does not believe that establishing a formal Poet Laureate Program is currently a core City program or a priority community arts need. Existing opportunities, including the Poetry Circle and youth poetry programs and activities available through organizations such as Mira Costa High School, continue to provide avenues for residents to participate in and experience poetry.
Research and conversations with other cities, including El Segundo, have also identified challenges in recruiting qualified poets and achieving sufficient participation in related programs and events.
For these reasons, while staff recognize and appreciate the value of poetry and its contribution to the community, staff does not recommend moving forward with a Poet Laureate Program at this time. Staff believes available resources should remain focused on the City’s core programs and higher-priority community arts and recreation initiatives that serve a broader segment of the Manhattan Beach community. The City can continue to support and recognize the Poetry Circle and other community-based arts opportunities. The concept of a Poet Laureate Program could be reconsidered in the future if a demonstrated broader community need, dedicated resources, or a community partnership supports its administration and long-term sustainability.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This item was added to the Cultural Arts Commission workplan in 2025 and appears on the agenda for every meeting as part of the commission work plan. Additionally, members of the local Poetry Circle have attended meetings to express their support for the program.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Manhattan Beach Poet Laureate Program Prospectus
2. PowerPoint Presentation