Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students beginning in the classroom and culminating in the National Finals in Washington, D.C. where over $50,000 is awarded in scholarships and school stipends.

Drawing upon elements of spoken word, theater, and slam poetry, Poetry Out Loud cultivates an appreciation of poetry that goes beyond the page. Poetry Out Loud promotes the creativity of performing poetry, not just reading it.

On Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 1—5pm, high school students from the Northern, Central and Southern regions will convene in Phoenix and compete for a chance to represent Arizona at the National Finals competition in May. The event will be held at the Arizona State University Memorial Union, in Pima Auditorium 230.

Poetry Out Loud is a partnership of the Poetry Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Arizona Commission on the Arts, and University of Arizona Poetry Center.