DATE: December 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Library & Cultural Arts Department
TITLE: APPROVAL OF THE O'ARTS: OCEANSIDE POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff and the Arts Commission recommend that the City Council approve the O'Arts: Oceanside Poet Laureate Program.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The proposed O'Arts: Oceanside Poet Laureate Program is in alignment with the O'Arts: Master Plan for the Arts and helps fulfill Goal 1: Strategy 3, supporting economic development through the expansion of arts and cultural programming, and Goal 3: Strategy 2, increasing visibility and resources for local artists within Oceanside.
The idea to create a Poet Laureate Program was originally brought to the Arts Commission through public comment at the April 7, 2025 regular Arts Commission meeting. Subsequently, the Arts Commission discussed an Oceanside Poet Laureate Program at the June 2, 2025 regular meeting, and requested that staff pursue establishment of the Program. The Commission subsequently approved the creation of the O'Arts: Oceanside Poet Laureate Program at the October 6, 2025 regular Arts Commission meeting.
An artist, residing in Tri-City North County San Diego (Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista), will be selected through a competitive process to become the City's inaugural Poet Laureate, serving as an ambassador and advocate for poetry, spoken word, and the literary arts. The Poet Laureate is expected to produce engaging and conceptually strong original works inspired by, and in response to, Oceanside as a richly diverse community. The Poet Laureate will elevate appreciation of the art form through public readings and civic events. They will also create art to celebrate the city and make poetry more accessible to residents in their everyday lives.
The Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and will receive $10,000 ($5,000 per year). The Poet Laureate will work with City staff and project partners to:
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