Poetry Out Loud

Topics:

Arts & Culture Initiatives

Poetry Out Loud in Iowa is an arts education program that encourages 9th-12th grade students to study great poetry and compete in a recitation competition at local, state and national levels.

Poetry Out Loud (POL) was launched by the National Endowment for the Arts and is supported by the Poetry Foundation.

4.2M

students from all 50 states and U.S. territories have participated in Poetry Out Loud

340

students participated in Poetry Out Loud contests in Iowa in 2023-24

POL is a fun and dynamic way to introduce students to poetry and creative writing.
POL supports student learning and engagement, promotes creativity, and offers all students opportunities to succeed and support their peers.
POL helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history

Process

High school teachers can incorporate POL into an existing curriculum using free, standards-based materials. POL provides educators with everything they need to be successful—while the Iowa Arts Council is here to assist and coach at every step of the way.
Classroom studies culminate with a classroom or school-wide contest in which each student selects and recites poems from the Poetry Out Loud anthology. Alternatively, a local organization may host a contest in which multiple area high schools participate.
School champions advance to a virtual semi-final round, where approximately 12 students will be selected to advance to the state competition held in Des Moines.

Awards and Scholarships

The Iowa state contest winner will earn a $200 award and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the POL National Finals, where students compete for $50,000 in scholarships.
Iowa champion’s school also receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books and the first runner-up receives a $100 award, plus $200 for their school.

Grant Support

Participating schools may receive a $300 grant to support the costs of hosting a contest. (Funding is limited on a first-come, first-served basis).
Non-profit organizations may receive up to a $4,000 grant to host and administer a local/regional contest that involves multiple schools. Contact the Iowa Arts Council for more information.

2025-26 Program Timeline

August 1, 2025: School registration opens
October 1, 2025: 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud Anthology available. Contests may start and take place any time between October 3, 2025 - January 23, 2026.
December 1, 2025: School registration deadline
January 23, 2026: Deadline to hold a local contest at your school or organization
February 14, 2026: Finalists invited to participate in state contest in Des Moines
March 8, 2026: State contest in Des Moines
April 27-29, 2026: National Finals in Washington, D.C.