APPLICATION DEADLINE: Saturday, February 14, 2026 @ 11:59 PM PST

The Clark County Poet Laureate and Clark County Public Arts are excited to announce an open call for poets to create and read Ekphrastic Poetry during the current “’Til the Wheels Fall Off” art exhibit on display at the Rotunda Gallery inside the Clark County Government Center, 500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155. The Ekphrastic Poetry must be inspired by the artworks on display.

With its roots in Greek literary tradition, “ekphrasis” is a way of using poetic language to describe and evoke a work of visual art. Ekphrastic poetry may also respond imaginatively to the artwork while creating a separate (discreet) back and forth (dialogue, collaboration, interactions, etc) that expands the meaning of the artwork. Literal or metaphorical, this kind of poetry is meant to illuminate the intersectional connection between literary and visual artistic mediums. 

Submissions are open to any Clark County poetry enthusiast or resident willing to be directly inspired by an artwork from the “’Til the Wheels Fall Off”. 

Three finalists will be selected and awarded $100 each by the Clark County Poet Laureate, Ashley “Ms.AyeVee” Vargas. 

To apply, please submit one original ekphrastic poem and identify the artwork with the title and the artist’s name from “’Til the Wheels Fall Off”.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• No entry fee is required.
• The poet must be available and willing to read their poem at the Gallery Reception on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Open to all; poets under 18 years of age will require a signature and contact information from a parent or legal guardian.
• Submission must be an original poem.
• Poems that contain offensive language, smoking, drugs, alcohol, overly political, religious, and/or sexual content, or imagery, including nudity, shall not be considered.
• Inspiration for the poem must be from one of the current exhibit works. You will be required to provide the artist's name and the title of the piece.
• If selected, the poet must provide information and sign contracts within 48 hours of notice. This includes providing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers.
• Poets under the age of 18 will require a parent or legal guardian to sign the contract. The award payment will be addressed to the parent or legal guardian.

IMPORTANT DETAILS: 

• Submission Deadline: Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
• 'Til the Wheels Fall Off Reception: Saturday, February 18, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Address: 500 S Grand Central Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89155

If you have additional application questions, please contact: poetry@clarkcountynv.gov 

Are you a talented musician looking for performance opportunities? We invite you to join our vibrant community of artists at the Clark County Gallery! We are seeking musicians of all genres to be part of our exciting events and dedication programs.

About Our Gallery Program:

Our gallery serves as a dynamic space for artistic expression and community engagement. We host a variety of events that celebrate creativity and bring people together. Musicians are an essential part of this experience, enhancing the atmosphere and providing unforgettable performances.

Guidelines

• Applicant(s) must be at least 18 years of age.
• Applicant(s) must have previous experience performing publicly.
• Offensive language or any overt references to smoking, drugs, alcohol, political, religious and/or sexual content, or imagery, including nudity, shall not be permitted.
• Applicant(s) must perform for a 2 hour duration with a 15 minute break in between.
• Performer(s) required to do their own setup and provide their own equipment. County will only provide venue and power for performance.
• Performer(s) can only play acoustic sets or those of a similar sound level. No acoustic drum sets will be allowed unless applicant(s) inquire about the use of drum brushes, but Clark County Public Arts reserves the right to deny such use. A drum rug will be required in case this option is permitted.
• Clark County Public Arts reserves the right to disqualify and remove any performers that pose a threat or cause harm to the public, the facility, or staff.
• Applicant(s) acknowledge that the gallery is a public space. Performers in the gallery may be photographed by visitors, members of the press, and County staff for promotional and educational purposes. This includes social media postings before, during and after the event.
• By submitting an application, you acknowledge that inclusion in the Musicians List does not guarantee performance opportunities. It serves  as a resource for event organizers to select musicians based on their specific requirements and availability.

Thank you for your interest in inviting Clark County Poet Laureate Ashley “Ms. AyeVee” Vargas to your upcoming event! 

To get started, please share the details of your event with us. We will review your request and get back to you soon to confirm her availability or discuss any necessary adjustments regarding the time, date, and other event details.

As a reminder, typical engagements for the poet laureate include appearances at libraries, museums, literary festivals, book clubs, bookstores, educational institutions, writing conferences, veterans' events, and media interviews.

The Clark County Public Arts Office oversees the poet laureate program, collecting invitation requests and providing Ms. AyeVee with an annual stipend that covers part of her materials and travel expenses. While the role of poet laureate is prestigious, it is not a full-time position, and Ms. AyeVee does not have an office at Clark County.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

For further questions regarding The Clark County Poet Laureate and other programming, please e-mail: poetry@ClarkCountyNV.gov