Call for Submissions for Elgin Pop-Up Poetry Project

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission is currently accepting submissions from writers of all ages for the first ever Elgin Pop-Up Poetry Project. Published and unpublished poets throughout the greater Chicago area are invited to submit a poem for consideration. Submissions will be accepted during the month of April (National Poetry Month) and are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2011.

ABOUT THE ELGIN POP-UP POETRY PROJECT
The theme for this year’s project is Icons of Elgin, which could be a person, place or thing. Selected poems will be enlarged and displayed in tandem with photography from Elgin ’s 1440 Photo Project at government buildings, downtown storefront windows, and other public places during the summer. Final selections will be published in a special commemorative book to celebrate the event. This project is sponsored by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, City of Elgin , Downtown Neighborhood Association, and the Palmer Foundation.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Only one poem per author will be considered. The poem can be no more than 10 lines (not including the title). The poem can be an existing work or a new poem. Poems must have proper spelling and punctuation before submission. No special formatting will be accepted that includes graphics or unusual symbols. Standard indentation, justification, spacing will be reproduced as close as possible to the submitted poem. An excerpt from a longer poem will be considered if it can stand alone. Poems will be judged on quality of writing but also for accessibility and suitability for public display before a general audience. If reprint permissions are required, permission must be obtained prior to submitting the poem. Submissions are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2011. Copies of submitted poems will not be returned.

SENDING IN YOUR POEM
There are three ways to submit a poem:

1. An application can be downloaded at www.cityofelgin.org, where it can be saved electronically and emailed to elginarts@gmail.com.

2. Mail poem to: Elgin Pop-Up Poetry Project, Attn: Sean Hargadon, Chairman, Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and Sylvia Grady, Staff Liaison, City Manager’s Office 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120.

3. Directly submit poem online at http://www.elginarts.org/.

All poetry submissions will be judged by an independent panel. Writers whose poems are chosen for display will be notified in May. While there is no honorarium offered, each writer whose work is displayed will receive a copy of the poster featuring his/her poem. For more information contact: Sean Hargadon at elginarts@gmail.com. Look for Elgin Pop-Up Poetry Project 2011 on Facebook.