Poetry Out Loud

Kristen Cliffel, Worry Jars: Travel, Health+Safety, Home, 1998-99, ceramic

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Ohio Arts Council is pleased to announce that Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation contest for high school students, will be available throughout Ohio in 2009-2010. Students who participate in the contest will memorize and perform classical and contemporary poetry. This exciting new program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Teachers organize contests with one class or can involve a whole school. Winners from each participating school will advance to the state finals in Columbus to be held Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Ohio Dominican University. The winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. Two runners-up will receive $100, with $200 for their school library. Additionally, a total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded to the winners at the National Finals. The National Finals will be held in Washington, DC, April 27, 2010.

Mido Aly - 2009 Winner

NEA Director of Government Affairs Anita Decker,
OAC Chair Susan Saxbe, & NBC 4's Marshall McPeek

click image to view video

Program Materials | FAQs | State Contest
Past Contests | Partners | Press Room

Get involved in this exciting new program today! Register
Ohio's Poetry Out Loud State Champions

Mido Aly recites at the Poetry Out Loud National Finals in Washington, D.C. Photo by James Kegly

Jackson Hille	Tony Jackson	Rachel Chandler

Click here for Poetry Out Loud MySpace page.

Due to the implementation of cost savings days (furloughs) by the State of Ohio, the OAC office will be closed on the following days: Friday, November 27; Thursday, December 24; and Thursday, December 31.

In each case the office will reopen at 8 a.m. the following Monday. Thank you for your cooperation during these periods.