Poetry Out Loud

Atlanta History Center administers Poetry Out Loud for the state of Georgia in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and Georgia Council for the Arts.

Poetry Out Loud is an innovative program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance of the written word. It incorporates the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into English and drama classes. Poetry Out Loud, which began in 2005, helps students improve public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about the role great poetry plays in literature.

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and Georgia Council for the Arts, Atlanta History Center administers Poetry Out Loud for the state of Georgia.

Functioning much like a spelling bee, the Poetry Out Loud competition uses a pyramid structure that begins in the classroom. Winners of each classroom recitation competition advance to a school-wide contest, then each school’s top winner goes to a semi-final, regional competition. Finalists from these semi-final competitions will advance to compete in a regional competition. Finalists from each regional competition will be selected to advance on to State competition. Finally, one Georgia winner will compete at the National Final in Washington, D.C.

Registration for the 2020–2021 school year is open; and all Georgia Poetry Out Loud events will be held virtually.

COVID-19 Update

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Endowment for the Arts encourages all participating Poetry Out Loud educators and organizers to conduct virtual competitions for the 2020-2021 season.

This is driven from the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the safety of all individuals (students, educators, parents, etc.) involved in POL.

For more information, please email pol@atlantahistorycenter.com.