Celebrate the power of poetry through Poetry Out Loud! 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. Participation in a Poetry Out Loud program benefits students in a variety of ways, including increases in academic performance, self-confidence and social awareness, and, of course, poetry appreciation and engagement.

For more information on the benefits of Poetry Out Loud, check out this fact sheet from the National Endowment for the Arts. Interested in learning more? Attend a webinar on Oct. 6, 2026 from 4:30 to 5:30pm Eastern to hear about how to organize a classroom or school competition, as well as resources available to support teachers and organizers. If you’re interested in participating, you can fill out the interest form by Dec. 11, 2026. You will then begin receiving information about the Poetry Out Loud state competition as well as materials to help promote and organize Poetry Out Loud in your school or organization. To get started with your local Poetry Out Loud competition, read through the organizer guide for everything you need to know to develop a program for your students.

Visit www.indianahumanities.org/poetryoutloud to learn more about the Indiana competition timeline and resources.

Questions about the program? Email Megan Telligman, director of programs at Indiana Humanities: mtelligman@indianahumanities.org | 317.616.9409