K-12 students and adults ages 18+ are encouraged to submit original works by April 14, 2023. Prizes include gift certificates, ticket vouchers and publication in the Santa Barbara Independent
SUMMARY
- UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Santa Barbara Independent co-present Instructions on Not Giving Up, a poetry contest in the spirit of National Poetry Month and in anticipation of Arts & Lectures’ upcoming event with Ada Limón on Tuesday, April 25
- Participants are invited to submit an original poem about the qualities of leadership and vision as part of A&L’s 2022-2023 Thematic Learning Initiative
- Submission instructions are available at thematic-learning.org/2022-2023
- Submissions are due no later than Friday, April 14 at 5 pm
- Winners will be announced on Friday, April 21 at thematic-learning.org/2022-2023 and independent.com
- Info: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
SANTA BARBARA — Calling all poets! In the spirit of National Poetry Month, you are invited to submit an original poem in one of two categories: K-12 or age 18+.
Instructions: Read U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s poem “Instructions on Not Giving Up,” which describes the growth of green leaves in spring as “a return to the strange idea of continuous living despite the mess of us, the hurt, the empty.” Then write a poem on A&L’s 2023 Thematic Learning Initiative theme of Leadership and Vision that’s about something that inspires you to move forward with strength, determination and hope.
Prizes include having your poem published in the Santa Barbara Independent, a copy of Ada Limón’s book The Hurting Kind, a $50 gift certificate to Chaucer’s Books and a $500 A&L ticket voucher good through 2024. One winner in each of the K-12 and 18+ categories will receive all of the prizes.
Entries will be judged by a panel of distinguished Santa Barbara poets including Robert Krut(UCSB Writing Program, College of Creative Studies); Melinda Palacio (author of the novel Ocotillo Dreams and three books of poetry) and Chryss Yost (Santa Barbara Poet Laureate 2013-2015).
Send your original, unpublished poem to info@ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu no later than Friday, April 14 at 5 pm with the subject line #AandLPoetry. Be sure to indicate your submission level (K-12 or Age 18+).
Related event: Ada Limón on Tuesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. at UCSB’s Campbell Hall. The United States’ 24th Poet Laureate is known for “clear storytelling, vivid visuals, and a final turn that snaps you like a twig” (Guernica Magazine). She is the first woman of Mexican ancestry to be named U.S. Poet Laureate. Limón views identity – and poetry – as avenues to greater possibilities.
Co-presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures Thematic Learning Initiative and the Santa Barbara Independent
ABOUT ADA LIMÓN
Ada Limón is the author of six books of poetry, including The Carrying, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry. Her book Bright Dead Things was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Her work has been supported most recently by a Guggenheim Fellowship. She was the host of the critically-acclaimed poetry podcast, The Slowdown. She grew up in Sonoma, Calif. and now lives in Lexington, KY where she writes and teaches remotely. Her new book of poetry, The Hurting Kind, is out now from Milkweed Editions. She is the 24th Poet Laureate of The United States.
ABOUT UCSB ARTS & LECTURES AND THE THEMATIC LEARNING INITIATIVE
Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public.
Arts & Lectures’ Thematic Learning Initiative (TLI) extends the conversation from the stage into the community, enriching lifelong learning and initiating dialogue and empowerment through special events, book giveaways and more. The 2022-2023 season of TLI focuses on Leadership and Vision.
With thanks to our visionary partners, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, for their support of the Thematic Learning Initiative.
For tickets and more information about the Ada Limón event on April 25, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535 or visit www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges our Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli for their generous support of the 2022-2023 season.