Organizer Information
The City of Bainbridge Island is a municipal government located in Washington State, USA, with a longstanding commitment to public art, cultural engagement, and community storytelling. Working alongside its autonomous Public Art Committee, the City commissions and supports projects that integrate art into civic spaces while reflecting the diverse histories, identities, and experiences of local communities.
This open call is being administered in partnership with Arts & Humanities Bainbridge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering creativity, cultural participation, and artistic excellence on Bainbridge Island. Through public programs, grants, exhibitions, educational initiatives, and artist opportunities, Arts & Humanities Bainbridge serves as a key advocate for the arts within the region.
The current poetry commission forms part of a broader civic initiative to expand representation in public spaces and acknowledge historically underrepresented narratives. The project stems from recommendations made by community leaders, arts professionals, Indigenous representatives, and members of diverse cultural groups seeking a more inclusive interpretation of Bainbridge Island’s history and identity.
Title & Description
Call for Poets: Bring Original Poetry into a Shared Community Space
The City of Bainbridge Island invites poets to participate in an innovative public art and poetry commission that will transform an existing civic artwork into a more inclusive and representative community space.
The project centers on a permanent installation located within Bainbridge Island City Hall’s Council Chambers. Originally commissioned in 1998, the artwork includes a visual timeline highlighting key moments in the island’s history. Following community consultations and recommendations, the City Council approved a project to replace the timeline component with newly commissioned poems that better reflect the diverse histories, identities, experiences, cultures, and natural environment of Bainbridge Island.
This opportunity seeks poets whose work demonstrates artistic excellence, a strong sense of place, and engagement with themes of history, equity, inclusion, community, and environmental stewardship.
The commission process will unfold in three phases. During the first phase, poets submit a portfolio of previously written work and supporting materials. Approximately ten poets will then be selected to create a new original poem responding to project-specific themes. Each shortlisted poet will receive an honorarium for their commissioned submission. Finally, four poems will be selected for permanent installation within the Council Chambers.
The final installation will feature three poems by adult poets and one poem written by a high school student, ensuring intergenerational representation within this significant public artwork.
This is a rare opportunity for poets to contribute to a lasting civic commission while sharing their creative voice with residents, visitors, and future generations.
Categories
- Poetry
- Creative Writing
- Literature
- Public Art
- Writing
- Community Arts
- Spoken Word
- Cultural Heritage
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Social Practice Art
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Have a connection to Bainbridge Island, Washington.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the island’s history, community, and environmental context.
- Show a commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity, and environmental stewardship.
- Be emerging, mid-career, or established poets.
- High school students are eligible and encouraged to apply.
- Adult poets are eligible.
- Individual applicants only.
The organizers strongly encourage submissions from historically underrepresented communities, including:
- BIPOC poets
- LGBTQIA+ poets
- Disabled poets
- Indigenous poets
- Poets from marginalized cultural communities
International applicants are not specifically eligible unless they can demonstrate a meaningful connection to Bainbridge Island.
Program Benefits & Awards
Phase Two Honorarium
- Approximately ten poets will be selected to develop a new commissioned poem.
- Each shortlisted poet will receive $50 USD upon submission of their commissioned poem.
Final Commission Awards
- Four poems will be selected for permanent installation.
- Three adult poets and one high school student poet will be chosen.
- Each selected poet will receive $500 USD.
Additional Benefits
- Inclusion in a permanent public art installation.
- Professional recognition through a civic commission.
- Public exposure to a broad community audience.
- Opportunity to contribute to a historically significant public artwork.
- Participation in a public celebration event.
- Long-term visibility within Bainbridge Island City Hall.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Poetry Portfolio
- Cover Letter
- Optional Supporting Material
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 June 2026
- Final Poets Selected: Mid-August 2026
- Installation of Poems: Fall 2026
- Public Celebration Event: November–December 2026
Location
Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- The project originates from efforts to create a more inclusive representation of Bainbridge Island’s history.
- The commissioned poems will replace an existing historical timeline within a major civic artwork.
- Themes may include community identity, historical narratives, cultural experiences, social inclusion, environmental stewardship, and local heritage.
- The selection process is managed jointly by the City of Bainbridge Island and its Public Art Committee.
- Community consultation played a central role in shaping the project framework.
- Selected poems will become part of a permanent public installation accessible to residents and visitors.
- The project emphasizes representation of historically overlooked voices and narratives.
- High school students have a dedicated opportunity to be represented among the final commissioned poets.