Poet Laureate Support Committee Meeting
Presentation of the Poet Laureate plaque to Bryan Riley, an update on current finances and recent/planned Poet Laureate activities, and review of updated Poet Laureate Support Guidelines with potential edits and next steps to present to the Arts & Culture Commission (ACC).
The Poet Laureate Support Committee met on March 9, 2026. After calling the meeting to order, members presented a Poet Laureate plaque to Bryan Riley and reviewed the committee’s current activities and finances. The committee confirmed that funds from a Flatbread fundraiser are accounted for, but the exact Poet Laureate Support Committee balance is unknown; Lisa Usani Phillips agreed to contact the Amesbury Cultural Council treasurer to determine whether a separate Poet Laureate account exists.
The committee approved proposed changes to the Poet Laureate Support Guidelines and agreed to submit two copies to the Amesbury Cultural Council—one marked-up showing the edits and one clean final copy—with Elizabeth Wolf volunteering to prepare and send the documents to Bryan Riley. Members discussed upcoming events (Poetry in the Pines planned for April 25, a possible June karaoke fundraiser, and a still-unscheduled Evening with the Poets roundtable). The committee also agreed to sponsor a Storywalk in collaboration with the library for up to $150, contingent on available committee funds; Bryan Riley will coordinate communications with Bailey Campbell. There were no public comments.