Call Description

The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking poets to be part of an exciting public art project that will bring original poetry into a shared community space. This opportunity invites poets to submit a portfolio of their work for review, with the goal of selecting voices that reflect creativity, diversity, and a strong sense of place. In the second phase of the project, up to ten poets will be chosen to create a new, original poem based on specific project criteria (outlined below), each receiving a $50 honorarium for their contribution. From these submissions, three poems by adult poets and one poem by a high school student will be selected for final inclusion in the public art installation, with each of those poets receiving $500. This is a unique opportunity to have your work experienced by a broad public audience while being recognized and supported as a contributing artist.

Learn More: https://bainbridgecurrents.com/classified/call-for-poets-bring-original-poetry-into-a-shared-community-space/

CONTEXT:

In 1998, an art installation was commissioned for Bainbridge Island City Hall’s Council Chambers. The piece consists of alternating shiny aluminum and rusty steel floor-to-ceiling panels. A description of the work reads, “Inlaid within [the] rusty panels are shiny aluminum shapes of vegetation typical of Bainbridge Island: rhododendron, salal, sword fern, bracken fern, and cattails. Alder and maple leaves seem to float down the panels. All were here long before the settlers and are still here now.” A timeline of Bainbridge Island history is affixed in gold vinyl letters on the four aluminum panels. The events on this timeline describe some significant moments in Bainbridge Island’s history, but there are also many missing narratives.

In 2016, the City’s Indigenous People's Day resolution called for modifying the existing timeline art in Council Chambers to be more inclusive and representative of Indipino and Suquamish histories.

In the spirit of that directive, and at the recommendation of a diverse group of community members consisting of the original artist; arts professionals; and the Indipino, Suquamish, Asian American, African American, Latine, Disability, Interfaith, and LGBTQ community; the City Council in 2025 authorized the replacement of the timeline with commissioned poetry reflecting an inclusive representation of history, identities, experiences, and the natural environment of Bainbridge Island.

*See attached photo of the art piece with timeline digitally removed.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The City of Bainbridge Island and its autonomous Public Art Committee are jointly issuing a 3-step call for poets – including high school students – who have some connection to Bainbridge Island, knowledge of its historical and present-day context, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship.

Poets who have been historically underrepresented (e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled) are especially encouraged to submit their work.

STEP 1:

Submission of a portfolio and application. Please include:

1. Up to 3 previously written poems from your portfolio that best represent your voice and style, and are no more than 10 pages combined, in one PDF document.
2. A one-page cover letter which speaks to how your work and lived experiences relate to the provided context of this project.
3. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume listing publications, grants and other honors, if applicable (optional).

Submit your completed documents (PDF files only) no later than June 10, 2026 via CaFÉ or mail to:

Arts and Humanities Bainbridge c/o Jackie Muth 221 Winslow Way West, Unit 201 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 - Electronic submissions strongly preferred.

STEP 2:

Roughly 10 poets from Step 1 submissions will be asked to submit a poem reflecting on an aspect of the Bainbridge community, history, and/or natural environment. At that time, more contextual and logistical details will be provided to the poets, and a payment of $50 will be made for each submitted poem.

STEP 3:

Four poems, one per aluminum panel, will be selected to be added to the installation. Each selected poet will be paid $500.

THE PANELS:

*See attached photo.

TENTATIVE TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT:

• April 14 - June 10, 2026 (11:59pm): Step 1 Application Deadline.
• End of July: Step 2 Deadline.
• Mid-August: Step 3, Final Poems Selected.
• Fall 2026: Installation of Poems.
• November/December 2026: Public Celebration.

QUESTIONS:

Contact:

Jackie Muth: jackie@bainbridgeartshumanities.org 

Anshu Wahi: awahi@bainbridgewa.gov

Application Requirements

Applicants Should Include:

1. Up to 3 previously written poems from your portfolio that best represent your voice and style, and are no more than 10 pages combined, in one PDF document.
2. A one-page PDF cover letter which speaks to how your work and lived experiences relate to the provided context of this project.
3. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume PDF listing publications, grants and other honors, if applicable (optional).

Eligibility Criteria

The City of Bainbridge Island and its autonomous Public Art Committee are jointly issuing a 3-step call for poets – including high school students – who have some connection to Bainbridge Island, knowledge of its historical and present-day context, and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Poets who have been historically underrepresented (e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled) are especially encouraged to submit their work.