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. Rather than being a simple exercise in memorization, learning to recite poetry encompasses college and career ready skills, including structural analysis, interpretation of meaning, point of view, close-reading and the use of higher order thinking skills. Registration will be open online through November 15, 2024, with the Alaska State Competition to take place in Juneau in March, and the National Competition in Washington, DC in May!

We encourage all to participate, whether you’re representing your school or participating as an individual; we intend participation in Poetry Out Loud to be simple and accessible to all! Both public and private schools are eligible to participate in the Alaska Poetry Out Program. Alaska students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in Alaska Poetry Out Loud, with an exception made for 8th-grade students participating in a 9th- through 12th-grade class. For complete eligibility information visit the National Poetry Out Loud website.

Please click here to download and read the Registration Information and Guide for Alaska Poetry Out Loud in 2024-2025! 

ALASKA POETRY OUT LOUD TOOLKIT

• Poetry Out Loud Teacher Resources
• Online Anthology
• Poetry Out Loud Tips for recitation
• Poetry Out Loud FAQ sheet

THE COMPETITION

Rules and Eligibility

Organizing a contest

Judge Preparation

Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative project of the: 

• Alaska State Council on the Arts
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Poetry Foundation
• Juneau Arts and Humanities Council (JAHC)

Alaska Poetry Out Loud Facebook

Alaska Poetry Out Loud Instragram