Poetry Out Loud Launches for 2026-2027 School Year

Poetry Out Loud, an arts education program of the National Endowment for the Arts, has announced the launch of its 2026-2027 school year. The competition, designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary history and contemporary life, invites high school students from across the United States to participate.

This year, schools and organizations can access free poetry education resources, including an anthology of classic and contemporary poems, by visiting PoetryOutLoud.org. Additionally, they can contact their state coordinator to register for the official competition. According to Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, "Each year, students, parents, and teachers tell us that Poetry Out Loud has a lasting impact on participants. By studying and reciting poetry, young people discover new ways to connect with language, express complex ideas and emotions with confidence, and stand before an audience ready to use their voice."

Since its inception in 2005, more than 4.6 million students and 89,000 teachers from 22,000 schools have participated in Poetry Out Loud. The program starts at the local level, with students selecting, memorizing, and reciting poems from the anthology. Winners of local competitions may advance to regional and state competitions, and ultimately to the National Finals. The 2027 National Finals will take place on April 27-28 in Washington, DC, with $50,000 in prizes and stipends awarded annually to competitors and their home communities, including a $20,000 prize for the National Champion.

The program aims to have a positive impact on schools, fostering community and building stronger bonds between teachers and students. Research conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts shows that students who participate in Poetry Out Loud demonstrate improved writing and analytical skills, increased self-confidence, and a better ability to think about situations from multiple perspectives. These skills extend far beyond the competition, benefiting students in other school subjects and their future careers.

Any type of high school is welcome to participate, including public, private, parochial, independent, charter, and homeschool. Non-school organizations, such as after-school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may also run the Poetry Out Loud program. For those unable to participate at their school or a local organization, students should contact their state Poetry Out Loud coordinator to discuss other opportunities for inclusion in their state's official competition.

Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States.