CINXE.COM
Poetry Out Loud | National Endowment for the Arts
<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#" class="no-js"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="description" content="A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, the Poetry Out Loud program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/poetry-out-loud" /> <link rel="image_src" href="https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/images/pol24-fl2-photobyjameskegley_0.jpg" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="National Endowment for the Arts" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/poetry-out-loud" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Poetry Out Loud" /> <meta property="og:description" content="A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, the Poetry Out Loud program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/images/pol24-fl2-photobyjameskegley_0.jpg" /> <meta name="dcterms.title" content="Poetry Out Loud" /> <meta name="dcterms.description" content="A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, the Poetry Out Loud program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems." /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, the Poetry Out Loud program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems." /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Poetry Out Loud" /> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@NEAarts" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/images/pol24-fl2-photobyjameskegley_0.jpg" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta http-equiv="x-ua-compatible" content="ie=edge" /> <link rel="icon" href="/themes/gesso/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" /> <title>Poetry Out Loud | National Endowment for the Arts</title> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_UlD4Ihm5_9VLU_6089wTOpg3MTRGaKFOSWt4qA36XUk.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxNi4EKwyAMRH8o6CdJ1GAzUyNGt-7vV8ZKB8fx7sFFTDVMPdN9vDlw0gapUuapI3DL1GYUTdX_MdjbJu3n0QgKmakvohEF6JjCrfo8VkdxvwlJB10OH3hAx4FlYN_s0rdxq_UVhW2jDE-ml_lvu13zEvoAt4ZI_w" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Work+Sans:300,300i,400,400i,500,500i,700,700i&display=swap" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_xVOQZAqobD-wJF0rpDjEpbFydVNuxW_qrGp-AQB1TqY.css?delta=2&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxNi4EKwyAMRH8o6CdJ1GAzUyNGt-7vV8ZKB8fx7sFFTDVMPdN9vDlw0gapUuapI3DL1GYUTdX_MdjbJu3n0QgKmakvohEF6JjCrfo8VkdxvwlJB10OH3hAx4FlYN_s0rdxq_UVhW2jDE-ml_lvu13zEvoAt4ZI_w" /> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/45971","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"gtm":{"tagId":null,"settings":{"data_layer":"dataLayer","include_environment":false},"tagIds":["GTM-K45ZJT4"]},"gtag":{"tagId":"","consentMode":false,"otherIds":[],"events":[],"additionalConfigInfo":[]},"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJx1T-0KwyAMfKGgjyRRU-tMjRjdurdfGRvdBoPjuI8fx3kMxQ050Kw_tctBKvg_5UUhFIp5SHe5RqrDs4RiPzTQPjjXYmOfDdm8LCRSFZtYPDIkkcTkBiabDvr1Bi-4f4cbiF-mBhzkaMPMNtKCkwc07Jg6tlXfk2diZm3Tc9aVIuhdB23HHyW4ZrqpfbLZJE6mB-Iual4","theme":"gesso","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":[],"back_to_top":{"back_to_top_button_trigger":100,"back_to_top_prevent_on_mobile":true,"back_to_top_prevent_in_admin":true,"back_to_top_button_type":"image","back_to_top_button_text":"Back to top"},"data":{"extlink":{"extTarget":false,"extTargetAppendNewWindowLabel":"(opens in a new window)","extTargetNoOverride":false,"extNofollow":false,"extNoreferrer":true,"extFollowNoOverride":false,"extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":false,"extSubdomains":true,"extExclude":"","extInclude":"","extCssExclude":"","extCssInclude":"","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":false,"extAlertText":"This link will take you to an external web site. We are not responsible for their content.","extHideIcons":false,"mailtoClass":"mailto","telClass":"","mailtoLabel":"(link sends email)","telLabel":"(link is a phone number)","extUseFontAwesome":false,"extIconPlacement":"append","extFaLinkClasses":"fa fa-external-link","extFaMailtoClasses":"fa fa-envelope-o","extAdditionalLinkClasses":"","extAdditionalMailtoClasses":"","extAdditionalTelClasses":"","extFaTelClasses":"fa fa-phone","whitelistedDomains":[".\\.arts\\.gov",".\\.nea\\.gov","nea\\.gov","apps\\.nea\\.gov"],"extExcludeNoreferrer":""}},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"74bb0c594ab4e853a5e27706b073815dd70bbc7620f79c5e73fa2adb507c4d59"}}</script> <script src="/themes/gesso/js/libraries/modernizr.min.js?v=3.11.7"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_qHwLyeSeLTp9U643hfjKFToWgg4GV8ZGhXfqPvN0MGI.js?scope=header&delta=1&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxdx0EKgDAMBdELFXOk8tvGoE2N2BQ8vi4EUZjFvIRco9vdTun9uPYg3LuRqCVo4NN12SqVY-zQ6WEQM1GODiHx9iXk7wkrzmBpHj3DOXLDolR4xlC_AJprNY4"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtm.js?sn5mf8"></script> <script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.js?sn5mf8"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_CDYdFxzro7ATNSQz3fds3Ff-dJq0IyUxYc1q9SgaMfA.js?scope=header&delta=4&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxdx0EKgDAMBdELFXOk8tvGoE2N2BQ8vi4EUZjFvIRco9vdTun9uPYg3LuRqCVo4NN12SqVY-zQ6WEQM1GODiHx9iXk7wkrzmBpHj3DOXLDolR4xlC_AJprNY4"></script> </head> <body class="path-node not-front node-page node-page--node-type-initiative"> <div class="skiplinks"> <a href="#main" class="skiplinks__link visually-hidden focusable">Skip to main content</a> </div> <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-K45ZJT4" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <div class="l-site-container"> <header class="l-header" role="banner"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-header__row"> <div class="l-header__left"> <a class="site-name" href="/" title="Home" rel="home"> <img class="site-name__logo" src="/themes/gesso/images/logo.svg" alt="National Endowment for the Arts logo"> <img class="site-name__logo-on-dark" src="/themes/gesso/images/logo-on-dark.svg" alt="National Endowment for the Arts logo"> </a> </div> <div class="l-header__right"> <div class="l-header__utility"> <div class="l-header__search"> <div class="search-block"> <a href="#" class="search-block__toggle" role="button"><span class="sr-only">Search</span></a> <form class="search-block__form" data-drupal-selector="views-exposed-form-global-search-block-1" action="/search" method="get" accept-charset="UTF-8"> <div class="form-item form-item--textfield form-item--id-search js-form-item js-form-type-textfield js-form-item-search"> <input placeholder="Search" id="edit-keywords" data-drupal-selector="edit-search" type="text" id="edit-search" name="search" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" class="form-item__text" tabindex="-1"> </div> </form> <button class="search-block__close" tabindex="-1"> <img src="/themes/gesso/images/mobile-close.svg" alt="Close search"> </button> </div> </div> <div class="l-header__social"> <div class="social-menu"> <a class="social-menu__link twitter-x" href="https://twitter.com/NEAarts">Follow us on X</a> <a class="social-menu__link facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalEndowmentfortheArts">Follow us on facebook</a> <a class="social-menu__link linkedin" href="https://linkedin.com/company/national-endowment-for-the-arts">Follow us on LinkedIn</a> <a class="social-menu__link apple" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/art-works-podcasts/id1058911829?mt=2">Apple store</a> <a class="social-menu__link instagram" href="https://instagram.com/neaarts/">Follow us on instagram</a> <a class="social-menu__link youtube" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/NEAarts">Follow us on youtube</a> </div> </div> <div id="menu-toggle" class="menu-toggle" aria-label="Open the Menu" aria-expanded="false" tabindex="0"> <span class="menu-toggle__icon"></span> <span class="menu-toggle__icon"></span> <span class="menu-toggle__icon"></span> <div class="menu-toggle__label">Menu</div> </div> </div> <div class="l-header__menu"> <ul class="menu menu--main" aria-label="Main navigation"> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/grants" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44866">Grants</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/grants" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44866">Grants</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/grants-for-arts-projects" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44871">Grants for Arts Projects</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/challenge-america" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86861">Challenge America</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/our-town" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45036">Our Town</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/research-awards" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45211">Research Awards</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/partnership-agreement-grants" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/145176">Partnership Agreement Grants</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/creative-writing-fellowships" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45241">Creative Writing</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/translation-projects" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem">Translation Projects</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/form/volunteer-to-be-a-national-endowment-for-the-arts-panelist" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75351">Volunteer to be an NEA Panelist</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/grants/manage-your-award" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45296">Manage Your Award</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/grants/recent-grants" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75466">Recent Grants</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-active-trail is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives" class="menu__link has-subnav is-active-trail is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45521">Initiatives</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/initiatives" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45521">Initiatives</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/artshere" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/338016">ArtsHERE</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiative/arts-education-partnership" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45961">Arts Education Partnership</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/blue-star-museums" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45431">Blue Star Museums</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/citizens-institute-rural-design" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Citizens' Institute on Rural Design</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/creative-forces" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44796">Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/gsa-art-in-architecture" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/270011">GSA's Art in Architecture</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/independent-film-media-arts-field-building-initiative" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/271471">Independent Film & Media Arts Field-Building Initiative</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/IWG-AHCI" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/342311">Interagency Working Group on Arts, Health, & Civic Infrastructure</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/international" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45981">International</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/mayors-institute-city-design" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Mayors' Institute on City Design</a> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/musical-theater-songwriting-challenge" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45031">Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/national-folklife-network" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/339341">National Folklife Network</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/nea-big-read" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45116">NEA Big Read</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/nea-research-labs" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45736">NEA Research Labs</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-active-trail" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/poetry-out-loud" class="menu__link is-active-trail is-active" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45971" aria-current="page">Poetry Out Loud</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/save-americas-treasures" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46006">Save America's Treasures</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/shakespeare-american-communities" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45976">Shakespeare in American Communities</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/sound-health-network" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/146866">Sound Health Network</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/initiatives/united-we-stand" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/271481">United We Stand</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/stories" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46146">Stories</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/stories" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46146">Stories</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/stories/magazine" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46511">American Artscape Magazine </a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/stories/podcast" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/120201">NEA Art Works Podcast</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/stories/blog" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/87001">National Endowment for the Arts Blog</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/impact" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45926">Impact</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/impact" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45926">Impact</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/state-profiles" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45411">States and Regions</a> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/impact/research" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45916">Research</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/accessibility" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46451">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/arts-and-artifacts-indemnity-program" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86831">Arts & Artifacts Indemnity Program</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/arts-and-health" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/270016">Arts and Health</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/arts-education" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46461">Arts Education</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/convenings" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46416">Convenings</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/creative-placemaking" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46446">Creative Placemaking</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/disaster-readiness-recovery-for-the-arts-and-culture-sector" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/349751">Disaster Readiness & Recovery for the Arts and Culture Sector</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/equity" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/181976">Equity Action Plan</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/historically-black-colleges-and-universities" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75221">Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/literary-arts" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/83841">Literary Arts</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/impact/media-arts" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/157266">Media Arts</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/native-arts-and-culture" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75231">Native Arts and Culture</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/honors" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44786">Honors</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/honors" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44786">Honors</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/honors/jazz" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46386">NEA Jazz Masters Fellowships</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/honors/heritage" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46321">National Heritage Fellowships</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/honors/medals" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46391">National Medal of Arts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/news" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/160541">News</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/news" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/160541">News</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/news/press-releases" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/75296">Press Releases</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/news/events" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46296">Upcoming Events</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/dr-maria-rosario-jackson-chair-page" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/160411">NEA Chair's Page</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="menu__item has-subnav is-expanded" role="none"> <a href="/about" class="menu__link has-subnav is-expanded" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46441">About</a> <div class="submenu-popup"> <div class="submenu-popup__columns"> <div class="submenu-popup__title"><a href="/about" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46441">About</a></div> <ul class="submenu-popup__menu menu menu__subnav"> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/dr-maria-rosario-jackson-chair-page" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/160411">NEA Chair's Page</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/leadership-staff/national-council-arts" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/44791">National Council on the Arts</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/leadership-staff" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46086">Leadership and Staff</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/what-is-the-nea" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/181671">What Is the NEA</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/publications" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46306">Publications</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/nea-on-covid-19" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/120466">National Endowment for the Arts on COVID-19</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/open-government" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45011">Open Government</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/freedom-of-information-act-foia-guide" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45151">Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/inspector-general" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45021">Office of the Inspector General</a> </li> <li class="menu__item is-collapsed" role="none"> <a href="/about/civil-rights-office" class="menu__link is-collapsed" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45556">Civil Rights Office</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/appropriations-history" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/83791">Appropriations History</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/make-a-donation-online" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/86996">Make a Donation</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="l-highlighted"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <main id="main" class="main " role="main" tabindex="-1"> <div class="l-content"> <div class="l-narrow-content"> <div class="l-narrow-content__header"> <div class="hero has-breadcrumbs"> <div class="hero__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image/public/2020-09/ALLSTATECHAMPS.jpg?h=3a9e5f04&itok=uI7OxUyO" width="1600" height="700" alt="Teenagers from every state on state for a poetry recitation contest. " /> </div> <div class="hero__inner"> <div class="hero__content"> <div class="hero__breadcrumbs"> <nav class="breadcrumb" role="navigation" aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <ol class="breadcrumb__list"> <li class="breadcrumb__item"> <a class="breadcrumb__link" href="/">Home</a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb__item"> <a class="breadcrumb__link" href="/initiatives">Initiatives</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <h1 class="hero__title">Poetry Out Loud</h1> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-narrow-content__wrapper"> <div class="l-narrow-content__main"> <div class="l-constrain l-constrain--xs"> <section class="l-section"> <div class="l-constrain l-constrain--xs"> <div class="l-section__content"> <p>A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and the state arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life. Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students and 81,000 teachers from 20,000 schools across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud. Visit <a href="http://poetryoutloud.org/">poetryoutloud.org</a> for more information. If you are interested in participating in the official program, please contact your <a href="https://www.poetryoutloud.org/about-poetry-out-loud/state-contacts/">state arts agency</a>.</p><h2>2024 Poetry Out Loud National Finals</h2> <figure class="captioned-image"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/images/pol24finals-topthree.jpg?itok=gh8TgPbD" width="800" height="533" alt="Three young Black women stand in front of Poetry Out Loud sign holding trophies aloft"> <figcaption class="captioned-image__caption"><p>From left to right: Nyla Dinkins, third place winner from Washington, DC; Niveah Glover, National Champion from Florida; and Tiana Renee Jones, runner-up from Georgia. Photo by James Kegley </p></figcaption> </figure> <p>Niveah Glover, a 12th-grade student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, is the 2024 Poetry Out Loud® National Champion. After reciting poems by Patricia Smith, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Ashanti Anderson, Glover was named champion during the May 2 national finals. As National Champion, Glover will receive a prize of $20,000.</p><p>The second-place 2024 Poetry Out Loud winner is Tiana Renee Jones, a 10th-grade student at Whitefield Academy in Mableton, Georgia, who will receive a $10,000 prize. The third-place winner is Nyla Dinkins, a 10th-grade student at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, DC, who will receive a $5,000 prize. </p><p><a class="arrow-link inline" href="/node/343876" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="52df60be-fe00-4de3-839d-2dde3707548c" data-entity-substitution="canonical">Read the press release for full details</a></p><p><a class="arrow-link inline" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFeYW9T9Ff4QpqP6pECz6eB5gXdVKehC3">Watch recitations and interviews with the 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Finalists</a></p><h3> </h3><h3>2024 Poetry Ourselves Winners</h3><p>A companion to Poetry Out Loud, the Poetry Ourselves competition gives students the opportunity to submit original poetry in spoken and written forms. The 2024 competition was open to Poetry Out Loud state and jurisdictional champions.</p><p><strong>Written </strong><br>Winner: Jessie Leitzel, South Carolina State Champion, <a href="/2024-poetry-ourselves-we-must-be-harvest-again">"We Must Be in the Harvest Again"</a> <br>Runner-up: Nina Glover, Florida State Champion, <a href="/2024-poetry-ourselves-these-thighs">"These Thighs"</a></p><p><strong>Spoken </strong><br>Winner: Jennifer Shon, Rhode Island State Champion, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lIexoyGR-0">“My Hanbando”</a> <br>Runner-up: Lexie Wison, Kentucky State Champion, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVvVSsQu1qE&t=1s">“My Life is Measured in Shades of Green”</a></p><p> </p><h2><strong>Study on Impact of Poetry Out Loud</strong></h2><p><a href="https://www.arts.gov/about/publications/line-by-line"><em>Line by Line: Transforming Student Lives and Learning with the Art of Poetry</em></a> presents findings from an evaluation of Poetry Out Loud that involves data collection from ten sample schools assessing the program’s impact on poetry appreciation and engagement, social and emotional development, and academic performance. A fact sheet summarizing the results is also <a href="https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Understanding-the-impact-of-POL-factsheet.pdf">available</a>. </p><p class="text-align-center"><a class="button" href="/initiatives/poetry-out-loud/state-champions"><strong> POL State Champions »</strong></a></p> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="l-narrow-content__footer"> <section class="l-section"> <div class="l-constrain l-constrain advanced-listing-block"> <div class="l-section__header"> <h2 class="l-section__title">Recent POL News</h2> <div class="l-section__button"> <a href="/news/press-releases?f%5B0%5D=news_initiative%3A251" class="button">All POL News</a> </div> </div> <div class="l-section__content"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="view view--advanced-listing view--display-image_card js-view-dom-id-17e23d0f189ce32c622e7b0b4bd781ac755fa535bc22aefd826f2065b016b3f8"> <div class="view__content"> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/news/press-releases/2024/poetry-out-loud-celebrate-20th-anniversary-during-2024-2025-school-year" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/pol24finals-mariarosariojackson_niveahglover_michelleboone_1.jpg?h=8aa18422&itok=nQxeaTuL" width="600" height="600" alt="Three women stand smiling on a stage as confetti fall around them, the young woman in center holds a trophy " /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-09-04T12:00:00Z">Sep 04, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Poetry Out Loud to Celebrate 20th Anniversary During 2024-2025 School Year</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/news/press-releases/2024/niveah-glover-florida-named-2024-poetry-out-loud-national-champion" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/pol24finals-fl-award2.jpg?h=e4477c0d&itok=jZ3ODqNE" width="600" height="600" alt="Niveah Glover, a young Black woman, holding her Poetry Out Loud National Champion trophy aloft" /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-05-03T12:00:00Z">May 03, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Niveah Glover from Florida Named 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Champion</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/news/press-releases/2024/final-contest-2024-poetry-out-loud-competition-may-2-2024" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/pol_sm_finals_1080x1080.jpg?h=bb151699&itok=UYvub5EA" width="600" height="600" alt="Who will be this year's Poetry Out Loud National Champion? With photo of nine 2024 finalists" /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-05-02T12:00:00Z">May 02, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Final Contest for 2024 Poetry Out Loud Competition on May 2, 2024</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="l-section"> <div class="l-constrain l-constrain advanced-listing-block"> <div class="l-section__header"> <h2 class="l-section__title">Recent POL Blog Posts</h2> <div class="l-section__button"> <a href="/stories/blog/list?f%5B0%5D=blog_initiative%3A251" class="button">All POL Blog Posts</a> </div> </div> <div class="l-section__content"> <div class="views-element-container"> <div class="view view--advanced-listing view--display-image_card js-view-dom-id-636721c33ca958e4842b2f45e22b35651d28148d131d238836bfbe2030f7f3d1"> <div class="view__content"> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/stories/blog/2024/poetry-out-loud-takes-london" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/image_50439425.jpg?h=9919c311&itok=uKknnPeR" width="600" height="600" alt="A young Indian woman recites on the Globe stage" /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-08-14T12:00:00Z">Aug 14, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Poetry Out Loud Takes London</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/stories/blog/2024/embracing-your-voice-conversation-2024-poetry-out-loud-national-champion-niveah-glover" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/pol24finals-mariarosariojackson_niveahglover_michelleboone.jpg?h=9fe24eb1&itok=dZ801fDS" width="600" height="600" alt="NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, Poetry Out Loud National Champion Niveah Glover, and Poetry Foundation President Michelle T. Boone" /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-05-17T12:00:00Z">May 17, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Embracing Your Voice: A Conversation with 2024 Poetry Out Loud National Champion Niveah Glover</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="view__row"> <a href="/stories/blog/2024/flashback-friday-reflections-poetry-out-loud-national-champions" class="card"> <div class="card__media"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/card_square/public/images/POL23-Munjuluri.jpg?h=4a7d1ed4&itok=Ajj7pab4" width="600" height="600" alt="A young woman with glasses and two long braids speaks into a microphone" /> </div> <div class="card__body"> <div class="card__meta"> <span class="card__date card__meta-item"><time datetime="2024-04-12T12:00:00Z">Apr 12, 2024</time> </span> </div> <div class="card__title"> <span>Flashback Friday: Reflections From Poetry Out Loud National Champions</span> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div class="e-newsletter"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="e-newsletter__wrapper"> <div class="e-newsletter__content"> <h3 class="e-newsletter__title">Stay Connected to the National Endowment for the Arts</h3> <div class="e-newsletter__text">Sign up for our newsletters and magazine</div> </div> <div class="e-newsletter__buttons"> <a href="/sign-up-for-updates" class="button button--secondary">Newsletter Signup</a> <a href="/form/sign-up-for-american-artscape-magazine" class="button button--secondary">Magazine Signup</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="l-constrain"> <div class="l-footer__menu"> <ul class="menu menu--footer" role="menu" aria-label="Footer"> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46441">About</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/leadership-staff/all-staff" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/equity" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/181976">Equity</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/civil-rights-office" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45556">Civil Rights</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/freedom-of-information-act-foia-guide" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45151">FOIA</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/civil-rights-office/applicants-for-employment-and-employees/no-fear-act" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45696">No Fear Act</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/inspector-general" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45021">Inspector General</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/impact/accessibility" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/46451">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/privacy" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/website-disclaimers" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/87061">Disclaimers</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/open-government" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/45011">Open Government</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="http://www.usa.gov/" class="menu__link" role="menuitem">USA.gov</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/section-508-accessibility" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/343186">Section 508 Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="menu__item" role="none"> <a href="/about/national-endowment-arts-warns-public-about-grant-scam" class="menu__link" role="menuitem" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/272011">Scam Regarding NEA Grants</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="l-footer__bottom"> <div class="l-footer__contact"> <div class="l-footer__address">400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20506 </div> <a class="l-footer__phone" href="tel:202.682.5400">202.682.5400</a> </div> <div class="l-footer__social-menu"> <div class="social-menu"> <a class="social-menu__link twitter-x" href="https://twitter.com/NEAarts">Follow us on X</a> <a class="social-menu__link facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalEndowmentfortheArts">Follow us on facebook</a> <a class="social-menu__link linkedin" href="https://linkedin.com/company/national-endowment-for-the-arts">Follow us on LinkedIn</a> <a class="social-menu__link apple" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/art-works-podcasts/id1058911829?mt=2">Apple store</a> <a class="social-menu__link instagram" href="https://instagram.com/neaarts/">Follow us on instagram</a> <a class="social-menu__link youtube" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/NEAarts">Follow us on youtube</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_ucklqT_N1OlBb_XpgEilTLh3DEJhn3D6X8T46x8F1m4.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxdx0EKgDAMBdELFXOk8tvGoE2N2BQ8vi4EUZjFvIRco9vdTun9uPYg3LuRqCVo4NN12SqVY-zQ6WEQM1GODiHx9iXk7wkrzmBpHj3DOXLDolR4xlC_AJprNY4"></script> <script src="//dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=NEA" async id="_fed_an_ua_tag"></script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_4wZdLQ0GN5pHDkRBpZnWQt9dhy05ElRZPaxdy3_wJxI.js?scope=footer&delta=2&language=en&theme=gesso&include=eJxdx0EKgDAMBdELFXOk8tvGoE2N2BQ8vi4EUZjFvIRco9vdTun9uPYg3LuRqCVo4NN12SqVY-zQ6WEQM1GODiHx9iXk7wkrzmBpHj3DOXLDolR4xlC_AJprNY4"></script> </body> </html>