Welcome to NH Poetry Out Loud 2024-2025

Welcome to the 20th year of New Hampshire Poetry Out Loud!

Poetry Out Loud encourages NH youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. Students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Poetry Out Loud builds on the spoken word as an art form, inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the classroom.

Nationwide, the program involves approximately 365,000 students annually and awards $50,000 in scholarships. Funding comes from The Poetry Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts, and is awarded to each State Arts Council to carry out a statewide program.

In New Hampshire, any high school — public, private, or parochial, as well as home school groups — are welcomed to participate. Up to 45 high schools can participate each year.

Visit Us:
Visit the NH State Council on the Arts to learn more about Poetry Out Loud in New Hampshire and the resources that are available to support your school in implementing the program. www.nh.gov/nharts

More Fun Facts:
  • A free and fun curricular unit that deeply engages students in our nation’s literary heritage through classic poetry.
  • An opportunity for your students to compete in school, regional, and state-wide competitions.
  • A national model in poetry instruction that is supported by the NH State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation.
  • A teacher-friendly, flexible program that can be integrated into the English Language Arts curriculum or existing poetry units with curriculum materials which support the English Language Arts, History, and Theatre Arts standards. To learn more about these connections check the Poetry Out Loud Teacher’s Guide at www.poetryoutloud.org.
  • Free training and resources which include a teachers’ manual, professional development clinics for educators, access to our updated online poetry anthology, mentorship for new teachers, and other resources.
Key Dates:
  • Deadline to hold school competitions: 2/3/25 (book your school venue ASAP!)
  • Semi Final Competitions: 2/10/2025 - 2/21/2025
  • State Finals Competition: 3/14/25 (tentative)

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