Redmond Appoints Ching-In Chen as New Poet Laureate

REDMOND, WA - Redmond City Council appointed Ching-In Chen as Redmond’s new poet laureate for 2024-25. Chen was selected through a robust process that included applying to an open call, a selection panel of poets and Arts and Culture commissioners, and individual interviews by the selection panel, Mayor Angela Birney, and the City Council. Chen is a lifelong educator, community organizer, poet, and the author of The Heart's Traffic (Arktoi/Red Hen Press, 2009) and recombinant (Kelsey Street Press, 2017). They are an assistant professor teaching creative writing and performance classes at the University of Washington - Bothell and the current Poet-in-Residence at Hugo House. They are also a community organizer, specifically in Asian American communities, in coalition with other communities of color and LGBTQIA+ communities.

“Poetry evokes emotion, creates outlets for self-expression, and connects people through words and ideas,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “We are excited to see how Ching-In Chen connects with our Redmond community through poetry. ” The Redmond Poet Laureate Program builds a more literate and understanding community through poetry and the literary arts by broadening the awareness of poetry and expressing the spirit of Redmond culture. Established in 2008, the Poet Laureate Program produces a variety of programming and community engagement opportunities offered to Redmond residents and visitors. Along with commissioned poetry, poetry talks, readings, exhibits, and workshops, previous poets’ work has appeared on bridges, signature events, and temporary art installations.

For more information on Redmond’s Arts program, visit redmond. gov/Arts.