Be sure to mark March 9 in your calendars for the thrilling Nevada Poetry Out Loud State Finals. Witness the fierce competition between students from across the state as they vie for the esteemed state title. Following this, the Nevada State Finalist will have the incredible opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to contend in the national competition. This program beautifully showcases the determination and fearlessness of our students as they fearlessly take the stage to recite poetry. Ensure you don’t miss out on the chance to show your support for arts education in Nevada.⁠

This is a free event.
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Image: Ashlee Sandoval, the 2023 Nevada Poetry Out Loud Champion at the National Competition in Washington D.C. May, 2023. Photos captured by James Kegley. Courtesy of the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.⁠

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The Nevada Arts Council is proud to present Poetry Out Loud. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, this exciting program is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the nation. This program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history and contemporary life.

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that starts at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a district and state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington D.C.