City of Norfolk, Virginia. SUBMISSIONS DUE: 11:59 PM EDT, May 9, 2021
Words and Images courtesy of Norfolk Arts.
Norfolk Arts and the Poetry on the Pavement Planning Committee seek submissions of new poems.
Poetry on the Pavement aims to celebrate and acknowledge Norfolk poets.
The project will engage the senses and emotions of pedestrians, with the potential to create moments of
joy, empathy, and reflection. Approximately 20 poems from local poets will be curated, made into
stencils, and painted on sidewalks and pedestrian pathways throughout Norfolk.
ELIGILIBILITY: Open to poets who live, work, or go to school in Norfolk, Virginia. Artists will grant the
City a notarized copyright waiver for the use of their poems for public display and for print and
promotional use. Poets will be credited for their work and will retain all other rights. Members of the
selection committee and Arts and Humanities and Public Arts Commissions may not submit poems.
POEM REQUIREMENTS: Poems should be short—up to 150 characters including title, not counting
spaces or punctuation. Due to the scale and structure of sidewalks, line breaks in the poems must be
phrased to fit in approximately 3’ lengths, which is a maximum of 18 characters per line. Poets are
allowed an additional 15 characters for their name or pen name. Poems should be original, unpublished
works; or if previously published, rights must have reverted to the poet.
PROJECT FUNDS: $150 will be awarded for the use of each selected poem. Selected poems will be
reproduced at multiple locations and published on norfolkarts.net and city social media platforms.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Sunday, May 9, 2021, 11:59 PM EDT
SUBMISSION: Poets may submit up to three individual poems saying something that only a poem can
say. Poets may want to consider themes of daily life, of a sense of space and place, or thoughts of
Norfolk. Writers should consider that these poems will appear in residential neighborhoods. People of all
ages and backgrounds will stroll across and read them. Submission must be submitted via email to
artscommission@norfolk.gov by 11:59 PM EDT on May 9, 2021. There is no application fee to apply.
PROPOSAL MUST INCLUDE:
- A short biography of up to three sentences.
- Up to three poems to the specifications listed above.
CALENDAR:
Sunday, May 9, 2021, 11:59 PM EDT, submittal due date and time
May 2021, selection announced
Summer 2021, poetry installation
Poems will be allowed to fade naturally over time
SELECTION CRITERIA AND AWARD CONSIDERATIONS: Selections will be awarded based on
many factors such as the aesthetic value and creativity. The city will consider the diversity of beliefs and
values and general standards of decency of the citizens of Norfolk.
QUESTIONS/FOLLOW UP: Questions about this project may be directed to Karen Rudd, at
karen.rudd@norfolk.gov or Debra Burrell, at debra.burrell@norfolk.gov.