PROGRAM INFORMATION | FAQ FOR STATE PARTNERS

*NOTE: More resources will be available when the site launches in late November.

Recitation and performance are major new trends in poetry. There has been a recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among our youth. Poetry Out Loud builds on that momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. The National Endowment for the Arts has joined with The Poetry Foundation, the nation's largest literary organization, to support the expansion of Poetry Out Loud.

Phase Two

Poetry Out Loud encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which help students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, in which several thousand students participated, this second phase of Poetry Out Loud extends the program to state capitals nationwide. The Endowment will award grants to state arts agencies to implement Poetry Out Loud in high schools in each of the 50 state-capital regions and the District of Columbia during the spring of 2006. Following the selection of state champions, there will be a national finals competition in Washington, DC, in late spring.

Program Materials

Free curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a program guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and a comprehensive Website. Curriculum materials will also be available on the Poetry Out Loud Website, and can be used by schools not involved in the official 2006 contest.

Download the Poetry Out Loud logo: eps format jpeg format

Contest Structure

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure. Beginning at the classroom level, winners from each class will advance to the school-wide competition, then to the state-capital competition, and ultimately to the national finals. We expect over 200,000 students to take part in Poetry Out Loud this year.

Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. A runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. We will be awarding $50,000 total in scholarships and school stipends at the National Finals, with at least a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.

Schedule

September 16, 2005	- grant applications sent to SAAs - materials sent to SAAs to help recruit schools
October 3	- grant applications due
November	- $8,000 grants awarded to SAAs - program materials shipped to SAAs - Poetry Out Loud Website launched
January through March, 2006	- Poetry Out Loud in schools
April	- Poetry Out Loud capital-regional finals
May 16, 2006	- Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, DC

Grants

Each State Arts Agency (SAA) will receive a grant of $8,000 to help cover the expenses of implementing the program in at least 10-30 schools and the costs of the state final.

When the NEA holds the national finals for the Recitation Contest next spring, we plan to work with a cooperator on the event. We imagine that some of the SAAs will want to do the same for their capital programs. Please feel free to work with a partner or cooperator.

We do ask, however, that the SAAs remain involved in the program at every step. We consider the SAAs our primary partners, even when it makes sense for the SAAs to work with their own partners within the capital regions.

Contact

NEA will provide guidance and other assistance to SAAs for Poetry Out Loud. Call or email anytime:

Dan Stone, NEA Program Manager - stone_dc@arts.gov, 202-682-5729

Andi Mathis, State and Regional Specialist - mathisa@arts.gov, 202-682-5430

Hope O'Keeffe, Office of National Initiatives - okeeffeh@arts.gov, 202-682-5762