Fiscal Note
No City appropriation required.
Title
Naming Octavia Ikard as Madison's 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate.
Body
WHEREAS, poetry promotes dialogue and understanding between generations; and
WHEREAS, poetry promotes civic responsibility, civic engagement, empathy, understanding, and mutual connection; and
WHEREAS, on December 13, 2021, the Madison Common Council passed Resolution No. 68286, RES-21-00343, establishing a Youth Poet Laureate Program; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2025, the Madison Arts Commission issued a call for the 2025-26 Madison Youth Poet Laureate with a deadline of April 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, at their May 13, 2025, meeting, the Madison Arts Commission, in consultation with Madison Poet Laureate Steven Dawson, met to vet the Youth Poet Laureate applications; and
WHEREAS, after careful consideration the Madison Arts Commission recommended that Octavia Ikard serve as the 2025-26 Madison Youth Poet Laureate and MK Zariel as the alternate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Madison names Octavia Ikard to serve as Madison's 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate, with MK Zariel as alternate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Octavia Ikard will be invited to read a poem before the Common Council.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that Octavia Ikard shall be known as the "Madison Youth Poet Laureate" from September 16, 2025, through August 31, 2026.