The Alliance Arts Council is sponsoring a program by Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason, on Friday January 20 at 7 p.m. at the Alliance High School Performing Arts Center. This program is open to the public and tickets are available at Carnegie Arts Center, Redman’s Shoes or at the door. Mr. Mason will also be working in the Alliance elementary schools from January 16-20.
During the Friday night program Mason will showcase some of the 4th grade students that he has been working with all week, letting us hear their work and their creative ideas. He will then read poems of his own and have a discussion and Q&A, so bring any questions you might have about poetry, poets, being State Poet or any other questions that you may have for him! Mason is known for poetry infused with humor and energy, so it will be a fun evening!
The Nebraska State Poet is a designation that recognizes and honors a Nebraska Poet of exceptional talent and accomplishment. The State Poet serves a five-year renewable term as an advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature in Nebraska. The duties of the State Poet include giving public presentations and readings, leading workshops and discussions, and providing other outreach in schools, libraries, literary festivals, and various venues in rural and urban communities throughout the state. To accomplish this, the State Poet joins with the Nebraska Arts Council’s Nebraska Touring Program and the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The first poet to hold the position of Nebraska State Poet was William Kloefkorn, who served for 29 years, until his death in May 2011.
The Nebraska State Poet is selected based on artistic excellence, exemplary professionalism demonstrated by significant publications and special honors, an established history of community service in the advancement of poetry in Nebraska, and the ability to present poetry and interact effectively with a public audience. In addition, the Nebraska State Poet must be a legal, full time resident for at least three years prior to the application deadline and must maintain Nebraska residency during the full term of office.
The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this arts event through its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization.