Help Pick Poems To Be Imprinted In Cambridge Sidewalks

Would you like to help select poetry to be imprinted in sidewalks throughout Cambridge? The City of Cambridge seeks people to participate in the selection process for its 2023 Sidewalk Poetry Contest. If you are interested in applying, please fill out the online form by Feb. 6: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/449ee1dfbe864459af6e9daa1b394d93

SELECTION COMMITTEE REQUIREMENTS: Selection Committee members will be expected to read approximately 200 to 250 poems submitted to the contest. Selection Committee members will review the poems on their own time and select five top choices. Then the selection committee will convene for one 3-hour virtual meeting to discuss the top choices and select five winners. Each Selection Committee member will be paid a $250 honorarium.

Selection Committee members will review all poems submitted to the contest without any attached identifying information of the person who submitted the poem. The Sidewalk Poetry Contest receives poems from Cambridge residents of all ages. If you are planning to submit a poem to the 2023 Sidewalk Poetry Contest, you should not apply to be on the selection committee. However, you are welcome to apply, and if you are not selected, you can submit a poem.

The Cambridge Sidewalk Poetry Program is an ever-popular program that each year selects five winners from the pool of submissions. Winning poems will be stamped in sidewalks around the city and posted to the Cambridge Arts website. For more information and examples of past contest winners, visit the website and Sidewalk Poetry Program story map: cambridgema.gov/sidewalkpoetry.

Apply by Feb. 6. We will contact you if you are selected.

Please contact us with any questions at 617-349-4388 or sidewalkpoetry@cambridgema.gov.