State and National Finals

On Sunday, May 2, 2021 beginning at 12pm ET, the Poetry Out Loud national semifinals will be available through a one-time-only webcast at arts.gov/poetry-out-loud. Each of the 55 state champions submit in advance video recordings of their poetry recitations, which will be reviewed and scored by judges with expertise in poetry, performance, and the literary arts. The recitations from all 55 students will be broadcast on May 2 as part of one of three regional semifinals, and will include the announcement of the top nine students (three from each region) who will advance in the competition. Here is the full semifinals schedule: 

Beginning at 12pm ET: Semifinal, Region 1 – East Central and Northeast

MD, NJ, NC, ME, NH, WV, CT, MA, DE, 

USVI, VA, VT, OH, DC, SC, PA, RI, NY

Beginning at 3pm ET: Semifinal, Region 2 – Midwest and South Central

MI, TN, OK, LA, PR, FL, IN, AL, GA,

MS, WI, KY, NE, IL, AR, KS, IA, MO

Beginning at 6pm ET: Semifinal, Region 3 – Upper Northwest and West

ID, NV, SD, AK, WA, MN, AS, CA, UT,

AZ, MT, OR, GU, CO, ND, WY, HI, TX, NM

On Thursday, May 27 at 7pm ET, the 2021 Poetry Out Loud national finals will be streamed at arts.gov/poetry-out-loud. The evening will feature pre-recorded recitations, live interviews with the top nine finalists, and the live announcement of the 2021 Poetry Out Loud National Champion.

For more information on holding virtual competitions, please visit the Organizing a Contest page.

State Finals

Information on the time, date, and location of State Finals will be updated as more competitions are scheduled and planned. Find your state’s Poetry Out Loud coordinator here.