A lineup of diverse young people standing in front of a colorful background, each performing or speaking into a microphone, expressing various emotions.

Poetry Out Loud

Poetry Out Loud is a national program that helps students build confidence and public speaking skills through poetry study and recitation competitions.

Program overview

The Nevada Arts Council is proud to present Poetry Out Loud. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, 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.

How to participate

Nevada Poetry Out Loud is open to Nevada students in grades 9–12. Students may participate via in-school or after-school programs, as well as homeschool and distance learning programs.

Six young women stand indoors in front of a stone wall, smiling and holding certificates and small boxes, suggesting they have received awards or recognition.
Logo for Reno Philharmonic featuring colorful vertical bars of varying heights on the left and the words renophil in bold, with LAURA JACKSON, MUSIC DIRECTOR underneath in smaller font.
A bold white capital letter N outlined in blue, centered on a dark blue square background with a thin white border.

Browse the nevada arts council online art archives.

More ways the nevada arts council connects you with art