ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Arkansas Arts Council, a division of Arkansas Heritage, has partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to encourage students to learn great poetry and develop real-world skills. Poetry Out Loud is a free, high school program that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students build self-confidence, develop public-speaking skills, learn literary history and compete for more than $20,000 at the national level. Schools interested in getting their students into the competition must register with the Arkansas Arts Council. The form is available online or by contacting the education program manager. All materials and resources will be provided. Competitions at the school or classroom level begin fall 2020. The student winners will represent their schools at the state finals in spring 2021.