[Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation](https://www.midatlanticarts.org)

Spring 2026 (National Finals)

Over $100,000 in total prizes awarded annually; awards distributed among national finalists.

National poetry recitation contest for high school students, culminating in a national finals event with significant cash prizes.

Forecasted opportunity; confirm details and deadlines on the program website.

--- ## Description Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest designed to encourage high school students to memorize and perform great poems. The program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, with the national finals produced by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. State and territorial champions from across the United States compete in the national finals, which celebrate the art of poetry recitation and performance, and award substantial cash prizes to winners. --- ## Due Dates - Anticipated national finals: Spring 2026 - State-level competitions and school registration deadlines vary by state and typically occur in the preceding fall and winter. - All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - More than $100,000 in total prizes are awarded annually at the national finals. - Individual awards include substantial cash prizes for national and state winners, as well as stipends for schools. - Prize structure may change annually; see the [program website](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/) for details. --- ## Eligibility - Open to high school students (grades 9–12) in the United States, including territories. - Students must participate through their school or a recognized local organization; home-schooled students are eligible via approved local partners. - Schools and organizations must register to participate each year, typically through their state’s arts agency or Poetry Out Loud coordinator. - Teachers and organizers integrate the program into classroom curricula or extracurricular activities. --- ## Application Process - Schools and organizations register with their state’s Poetry Out Loud partner or coordinator. - Students compete in classroom and school-level contests, advance to regional and state competitions, and state winners proceed to the national finals. - The national finals are produced by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation in partnership with the NEA and Poetry Foundation. - For detailed steps on managing a grant or prize, see the [Mid Atlantic Arts grant management guide](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/grants-programs/explore-opportunities/manage-your-grant/). --- ## Additional Information - The program provides extensive resources for teachers and students, including poem collections, lesson plans, and performance tips. - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation offers accommodations for accessibility; requests can be made by contacting their accessibility coordinator. - The contest is designed to foster appreciation of poetry, build public speaking skills, and provide recognition for student achievement in the literary arts. --- ## External Links - [Poetry Out Loud program page (Mid Atlantic Arts)](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/poetry-out-loud/) - [Poetry Out Loud official website](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/) - [Teacher and organizer resources](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/teachers-organizers) - [Student information](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/competing/what-its-like-to-compete) - [Mid Atlantic Arts accessibility policy](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/accessibility-policy/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation](https://www.midatlanticarts.org) | | Accessibility Requests | accessibility@midatlanticarts.org
410-539-6656 X 110 | | Grant Management | grants@midatlanticarts.org | | Accessibility Coordinator | Sarah Lewitus: slewitus@midatlanticarts.org
410-539-6656 X 110 | ---

Poetry Out Loud - National Endowment for the Arts & Poetry Foundation

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