Poetry out loud

Poetry Out Loud is a FREE program for High School students where they select poems from the National Poetry Foundation Anthology, memorize, interpret, and recite them in competitions. Winners advance from classroom to nationals, with cash prizes available at each level. Two winners from each competition move to Regionals, where one winner progresses to States, and the State Winner competes nationally. Presented in partnership with various organizations, it encourages high school students to learn about poetry through memorization and performance, with resources available at poetryoutloud.org. Arts Connection has hosted the program for the past seven years.

JOIN THE POETRY OUT LOUD TEAM

Let’s continue to celebrate the art of poetry together!

Interested in participating next year? Teachers and school admins, contact admin@artsconnectionnetwork.org

Please review Resources/FAQs section on this page and see if that is something we can add to ours as well: writeoutloudsd.com/poetry-out-loud/

POETRY OUT LOUD AWARD OPPORTUNITIES

Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip (with an adult chaperone) to Washington, DC, to compete at the National Finals. The state winner’s school/organization receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for their school/organization. At the national finals, a total of $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends are awarded annually including a $20,000 award for the National Champion, $10,000 for 2nd place, $5,000 for 3rd place, and $1,000 for 4th-12th places. The representing schools/organizations of each of the top 12 finalists receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials.

Poetry Out Loud is a program of the following organizations:

  • California’s state arts agency: advancing California through the arts and creativity. The California Arts Council builds public will and resources for the arts; fosters accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California’s diverse populations; serves as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and provides relevant programs and services.

  • Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the NEA supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America.

  • The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience. The Poetry Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry through innovative partnerships, prizes, and programs.

  • The Office of the Superintendent is committed to working with school districts, other agencies, families and the community at large by providing services, information, advocacy and leadership – always with a focus on students.

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANNOUNCES THE 2020 POETRY OUT LOUD COUNTY WINNERS, BREEN MANOS AND WILLIAM RODRIGUEZ!

San Bernardino, CA — Arts Connection is pleased to announce the San Bernardino County Poetry Out Loud Champion, Breen Manos from Big Bear High School. Our runner up, from W.A. Carter High School in Rialto, is William Rodriguez. The Contest was held at The Garcia Center for the Arts in San Bernardino on February 1, 2020, where we had a full house with friends, family, teachers and poetry enthusiasts. Breen will be heading to Sacramento to compete in the state finals on March 16th. The competition is presented in partnership with the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, and is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.