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

March 2026 (program registration/entry deadline, projected)

Over $100,000 in total prizes awarded annually; individual student and school awards vary.

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

--- ## Description Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest designed to inspire high school students to engage deeply with great poetry through memorization and performance. The program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, with the finals produced by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. State and territorial winners from across the United States compete in the national finals for substantial prizes, fostering both a love of poetry and the development of public speaking skills among youth. --- ## Due Dates - March 2026 (program registration/entry deadline, anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Over $100,000 in total prizes are awarded annually. - Awards are distributed to both individual students and their schools; specific prize amounts may vary each year. --- ## Eligibility - Open to high school students in the United States, including all states and territories. - Participants must advance through their state or territory’s official Poetry Out Loud program to qualify for the national finals. - Schools or organizations interested in participating must register through their state arts agency or designated partner. --- ## Application Process - Interested schools or organizations should register for the program through their state arts agency or the official [Poetry Out Loud website](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/). - Students participate in classroom and school competitions, with winners advancing to regional, state, and ultimately the national finals. - Program materials and resources are provided to participating schools. --- ## Additional Information - The contest is designed to be accessible to all students, and accommodations or accessibility supports may be available upon request. - For more details, visit the [Poetry Out Loud program page](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/poetry-out-loud/) or the [Poetry Out Loud national website](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/). --- ## External Links - [Poetry Out Loud Program Page (Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation)](https://www.midatlanticarts.org/opportunity/poetry-out-loud/) - [Poetry Out Loud National Website](https://www.poetryoutloud.org/) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |-------------|--------------------------------------------| | Phone | 410.539.6656 | | Address | 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 401, Baltimore, MD 21201 | | Funder Page | [Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation](https://www.midatlanticarts.org) |

Poetry Out Loud - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

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