Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national recitation competition organized by the Tennessee Arts Commission in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

This literary arts program offers dynamic performance and learning opportunities for students to succeed in and beyond the classroom. The Tennessee champion will win $1,000 and represent Tennessee in the National Finals. Runners-up of both competitions will also receive cash prizes, as well as money for their school. POL is open to all public, private and homeschool students in grades 9-12 and encourages teachers of all subjects to participate.

Interested in knowing more? Download the Teacher’s Guide and contact Julia Stark, Arts Learning Specialist at julia.stark@tn.gov


2023 Tennessee Poetry Out LoudĀ 

January 13, 2023: Deadline to Register School Competition

February 3, 2023: Deadline to Register School ChampionĀ 

February 17, 2023: Deadline to Apply for Travel AssistanceĀ 

March 3-4, 2023: TN State Finals at the TN State Museum

May 8-10. 2023: POL National Finals

More About POL

2022-2023 School Competition Registration Form

Register by Friday, January 13, 2023

Request Free Materials

Access free online materials, and sign up to receive the Poetry Out Loud Teacher's Guide.

Access the POL Online Anthology

The 2022-2023 POL Anthology hosts over 1,100 poems!

The 2023 National POL Competition will take place May 8-10 in Washington, D.C.

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