History and Overview

Over 32 years of publication Arc Poetry Magazine has established itself as an important feature in the Canadian literary landscape. In addition to the publication of dozens of vibrant and thought-provoking issues, some highlights of Arc’s legacy include the establishment of the Confederation Poets Prize, the Lampman-Scott (formerly Archibald Lampman) Award for Poetry, the Poem of the Year Contest, and the Diana Brebner Prize for emerging poets. Arc has also received many honours, including numerous National Magazine Awards.

A new addition to the Arc family of services is the Poet in Residence program. As a publication that receives hundreds of applications from emerging poets each year, Arc would like to be able to offer more constructive feedback than time usually allows to poets whose work shows promise. The Poet in Residence (PIR) will provide this editorial feedback through an internal referral system, will produce a commissioned work for publication in Arc, and will attend to present this work at the issue launches (locations to be confirmed). This will be the second year for the Poet in Residence program, and may be subject to the approval of funding. The PIR will be asked to provide relevant feedback regarding the program in order to improve service for subsequent years. The successful candidate will be able to meet the criteria established by the Canada Council for the Arts for its writers residency program.

Position Description

The nine-month residency will consist of the following:

• This is a virtual residency, so the Poet in Residence will not be required to
  relocate.

• Ten to twenty hours of mentoring per each month of the residency, serving a
  minimum of ten poets per month, for a total of between three and four weeks
  of the entire residency;

• Tailored mentoring will include written assessments of approximately 250
  words, a tailored recommended reading list, and phone and/or email
  consultation where necessary;

• The PIR will undertake to clarify with each participant in the program that the
  opinions are those of the him or herself and not those of the Arc Poetry Society
  or of Arc Poetry Magazine;

• In order to prepare a thorough mentoring statement the poet in residence will
  request a larger sampling of a mentee’s work where necessary;

• Creation of a project of ten to fifteen printed pages for publication in Arc and
  approximately two weeks of travel and readings to promote the launch of the
  issue of Arc containing the PIR’s work.

Remuneration

The contract fee for the poet in residence will be $9,000, which will be paid on a monthly basis. Standard writer’s fee rates will apply for publication in Arc.

PIR Qualifications and Eligibility

Poet in Residence candidates will be Canadian Citizens with a strong background in the practice of contemporary poetry. The Poet in Residence will have at least one poetry collection published by an established Canadian publisher (chapbooks and selfpublished books do not qualify). Members of the Arc board of directors will not be eligible to apply for this residency.

Application

The application for the residency will include a statement of mentoring philosophy and a summary of the proposed writing project with a combined maximum of 700 words. Please supply three references. Reviews of published work are welcome but not required.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: January 31st, 2010
Applications must be received by deadline via email to:
managingeditor@arcpoetry.ca

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