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FAQ

So, I write a poem, send it to you, and you might get someone to paint it on a wall in Austin?

Exactly.

What should the poems be about?

We have no idea. It could be about your morning taco run, a sunset on the 1st Street bridge, a late night out, or … absolutely anything that has to do with experiencing life in Austin, Texas.

How do the poems get chosen?

By a hilariously arbitrary committee of poets, scholars, and poetry fans in the Austin community.

How many poems will be selected?

We’re going to start with one and go from there.

Is there a length you have in mind?

Well, it’s going on a wall somewhere, so save your epics. Otherwise, no.

Will you pay me any money for my winning work of art?

We really want to. We’ll work really hard to see if our partners (business, government, private citizens) will pitch in to reward the artist.

Are you making any money off of this?

I wish. Maybe later? Wait, this is a liberal arts style project. Yeah, probably not.

Are you going to pay the painter?

We really want to. We’ll work really hard to see if our partners (business, government, private citizens) will pitch in to reward the painter.

Who owns the poem when it’s all said and done?

We have no maniacal schemes for your work, so hopefully you. I guess we’ll see how that one goes over time.

Do I have to live in Austin to submit?

No.

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Submit Your Poem

You have some poems about Austin. We want your poems about Austin. Let’s do this.

In a simple text file (no attachments, Word docs, etc.) in the body of an email, send:

Up to 3 poems

A little about them, or a little about you. Or both.

to austinpoems [at] gmail [dot] com

And you’re done … Good luck!

If you need more guidance, see our FAQ.

http://www.foxyform.com

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Get Involved

1) Send us your poems

See our Frequently Asked Questions

2) Find us a place to put them!

Are you a business owner with an outside (or inside) wall that could use a new coat of poetry paint? Do you work at a place like that or know someone who fits the bill?

Get in touch: austinpoems [at] GMail [dot] com

3) Find us someone to paint these poems

Does it have to be a work of art? No, it doesn’t have to be some big production.

However, if you’re an artist looking for a new creative outlet (and maybe some notoriety), this could be for you.

We are hoping the business that gets involved will help pay for the paint, and will help in with a stipend for you.

Are you qualified? Sort of? Get in touch: austinpoems [at] GMail [dot] com

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What is this project about?

GREAT CITIES all over the world are bringing poetry to the lives their citizens each and every day, enriching a mundane commute and passing along art to the betterment of communities.

We think Austin should do the same.

On buses in Vancouver and New York, on the London tube, even all over Iowa City, people have a chance every day to engage with poems on their way to work or school, or on their evening jog.

Why should we bother?

Poetry is important; it helps us interpret and understand our community. It makes us think, transports us, and brings us closer to one another as citizens.

What will it look like?

It’s gonna start small. We’re looking for businesses to volunteer a wall or public space to have poetry publicly displayed. It will be professionally painted (we hope), perhaps even artistically.

Whose poems will you use?

Yours. Well, if you send one to us.

We want poems about this city. Other cities have chosen to use some of the most classic poets in the world to fill their project. That’s a fine idea, but we want to do something different. We want to hear from Austin’s poets, famous and unknown, people who have experienced this city, who offer Austinites an insight on our lives and place.

Who can submit a poem?

Anyone who’s been affected by our city. See “Send Us Your Poems” for more info.

Who’s running this project?

Right now, just me, Luke Quinton. I’m working on partners who want to review and advocate their favorite poems, and businesses or organizations who want to support art in our city.

NEXT: “Get Involved”

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