Geist contributing editor named Vancouver's poet laureate

Brad Cran, a contributing editor to Geist magazine, has been named Vancouver's poet laureate for a two-year term ending 2011. The honourary title was announced at a city hall ceremony this week, presided over by mayor Gregor Robinson. Cran succeeds the inaugural poet laureate, George McWhirter.

According to a story in the Georgia Straight, Cran's duties will include creating

“a unique artistic legacy through public readings and civic interactions. The Poet Laureate will also be expected to attend a variety of civic functions, participate in public poetry events and carry through one or more special civic projects.”

Cran has said he hopes to “leave a legacy of poetry in our elementary schools”.

In addition to being a poet, Cran is the former executive director of the Federation of BC Writers and the publisher of Smoking Lung Press.