Roberta Brown is set to become the 2023-2024 Artist Laureate of Royal Oak, Michigan, and is expected to bring her passion for poetry to her home city with several public events, such as writing workshops and readings of her work. Upon confirmation from the City Commission Monday, Brown will be given a $5,000 stipend to complete these tasks. The residents of Royal Oak can look forward to participating in engaging cultural experiences inspired by local artists.

The City of Royal Oak and the Commission for the Arts proudly announced the selection of Roberta Brown as their 2023 – 2024 Artist Laureate. With a focus on poetry, Brown is an award-winning poet and long-time Royal Oak resident. She was confirmed at the Monday City Commission meeting and will now receive a $5,000 stipend to complete her community project which includes poetry writing workshops and readings of her work. The city looks forward to publicizing activities related to the Artist Laureate throughout the year. Roberta Brown’s selection as the 2023-2024 Artist Laureate by the Commission for the Arts is a testament to her exceptional talent and contributions to the field of poetry. As a long-time resident of Royal Oak, her appointment not only highlights her artistic achievements but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring poets in the community. With the generous stipend provided, Brown’s community project will undoubtedly enrich the cultural landscape of Royal Oak through engaging poetry workshops and captivating readings of her acclaimed work. The

Charles Brown Leading Poetry Readings and Workshops

The 2023 Royal Oak Commission for the Arts has set a goal to bring art into the neighborhoods and parks of Royal Oak and to achieve that goal, poet Charles Brown is leading poetry readings and workshops in the area. These readings and workshops will be held at locations such as the Royal Oak Library, Senior Center, local schools, and neighborhood parks, including Normandy Oaks and Starr Jaycee. Through these events, the Royal Oak community will have the opportunity to display their work publicly and stay informed with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Art and Culture in Royal Oak

Royal Oak is a vibrant town with lots of cultural and artistic activities happening. From writing to music performances, the Royal Oak Symphony and other various local bands provide locals with a variety of entertainment. Publications such as Peninsula Poets, Panoplyzine, The Michigander’s Post, and Short Fiction Break have all featured the work of local writers. In addition, Detroit Working Writers has been led by the President from 2017-2021. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts to stay informed about the exciting culture that Royal Oak has to offer.

The selection of Roberta Brown as the Royal Oak 2023-2024 Artist Laureate is an important step in promoting creativity and accessibility of art in the local community. By providing workshops, readings, interviews, and other outreach events, Royal Oak is working to engage its residents and provide a much-needed voice for its poets and wordsmiths. With Brown’s guidance and influence, the effort to bring art into the neighborhoods and parks of Royal Oak can be enjoyed by current and future generations alike.