Quad City Arts partners with the Illinois Arts Council inviting Illinois High Schools to participate in a free national program- Poetry Out Loud created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation
Poetry Out Loud has served as an inspiration for hundreds of thousands of students. Now entering its 10th year of national competition, POL has helped students to develop skills in public speaking, self-confidence, and poise while interpreting great poetry through memorization and performance.
POL may be implemented in the classroom or as an after school program in as little as 2 to 3 weeks and does not require full class periods. Students are only required to memorize and recite 2 poems at the school and regional level. This program also meets most of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards and Illinois English Language Arts Standards.
State Awards: Each winner at the state level will receive $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 will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. One runner-up in each state will receive $100; his or her school will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books. National Awards: A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be given at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals, including a $20,000 award for the National Champion.
Please call Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, Tracy Alan White at (563) 579-7630 or email tracyalanwhite@gmail.com to register. Tracy will provide any materials you will need, answer any questions you may have, and support you in implementing this program in your school. Other information and materials are available on the Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org .
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
