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 11, 2023 from 1—5pm, high school students from the Northern, Central and Southern regions will perform and compete for a chance to represent the state of Arizona at the National Finals competition in May. Join us in celebrating their hard work and dynamic recitations in-person at the Poetry Center or virtually, through the live stream! 

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.