Poetry Out Loud

The National Endowment for the Arts partners with participating states and jurisdictional arts agencies to sponsor the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. More than four million students have participated in Poetry Out Loud since 2005, with many advancing from classroom competitions to school competitions to state competitions and ultimately to the national finals where students compete for the grand prize of $20,000. In total, Poetry Out Loud  awards more than $100,000 to state- and national-level winners and their schools each year.

Poetry Out Loud addresses most state ELA standards and can easily be integrated into existing curriculum. By incorporating memorization and performance in the classroom, POL sets the stage for students to deepen their understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and the nuances within word meanings. In addition, students learn about great poetry, explore its literary heritage, and gain confidence in public speaking skills.

North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) offers funding to support poet visits to schools registered in the POL Program.  These funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Total amount of request may not exceed $2,000. *See the Poets in Schools tab above.

Any school or homeschool group in North Dakota that includes students in grades 9 through 12 qualifies for POL. Public, private, alternative, and independent schools as well as homeschool groups or organizations and school-sponsored afterschool programs are encouraged to participate.

Poetry Out Loud provides free online curriculum materials, including an online poetry anthology, a comprehensive teacher’s guide, videos of student performances, lesson plans, and promotional and media resources at poetryoutloud.org.

After schools register with their state arts agency, teachers are sent an information packet and invited to access the online materials to use within their classrooms. Poetry Out Loud integrates with existing ELA curriculum, does not require full class periods, and can be completed in 2-3 weeks. Following classroom and/or school level competitions, school champions gather at the state Capitol in late February to compete at the North Dakota State Poetry Out Loud Finals Competition. The new ND State POL Champion then moves forward to the national finals which are held in Washington, DC, in late April or early May.

2026-27 POL Guide for Teachers and Organizers

While teachers, students, and poetry lovers everywhere can use this website and its free materials to organize their own contests, the official contest is limited to the programs run by each state’s arts agency.

*2026-27 POL SCHEDULE

*Subject to revision.

• September 2026 - January 2027: Teachers weave POL into curriculum
• Friday, December 4, 2026: Deadline for School Registration
• Monday, January 18, 2027: Deadline for School Competitions to be completed
• Wednesday, January 20, 2027: Deadline for submission of School Champion registration form to NDCA
• Monday, February 22, 2027: ND State POL Competition, ND State Heritage Center
• Wednesday, March 10, 2027: Deadline for state champions and chaperones to register for National Finals
• April 26-28, 2027: National POL Competition, Washington, DC

*Schools planning a Poets in Schools visit should allow sufficient time to apply through the Artist in Residence grant program before the proposed visit.

General Information about Poets in Schools

Poets in Schools brings the transformative experience of poetry directly into classrooms across North Dakota. As a component of Poetry Out Loud, the program connects participating schools with practicing poets who can engage students in poetry, performance, interpretation, writing, and self-expression.

Poet visits may include:

• Coaching students individually or in small groups on Poetry Out Loud recitations;
• Exploring poetry, interpretation, voice, and performance;
• Writing and creative-expression activities;
• Classroom workshops; and
• Assembly-style performances or presentations designed to build excitement around poetry and Poetry Out Loud.

Funding a Poets in Schools Visit

There is no separate Poets in Schools grant application.

Schools seeking NDCA funding to bring a poet into their school should apply through the Artist in Residence (AIR) grant program. AIR supports collaborations between professional artists and North Dakota students and teachers and may be used to support a Poets in Schools residency.

Schools are encouraged to identify and communicate with their poet before submitting an AIR application so the school and artist can develop the proposed activities, schedule, and budget together.

AIR eligibility, funding amounts, matching requirements, application deadlines, and reimbursement procedures apply to all Poets in Schools projects receiving AIR funding.

Learn More & Apply for AIR Grant
 

Find a Poet

Available Poets for 2026-27

Schools are encouraged to work with a poet whose experience and approach best fit their students and Poetry Out Loud goals.

NDCA offers Poets in Schools as an opportunity for schools participating in Poetry Out Loud to bring practicing poets directly into their classrooms. Poet visits can help students explore poetry, strengthen recitation and public speaking skills, prepare for Poetry Out Loud, and experience poetry through direct interaction with working artists.

Schools interested in financial support for a Poets in Schools visit may apply through NDCA’s Artist in Residence (AIR) grant program.
 

Learn More & Apply for AIR Grant