Poetry Out Loud

“Poetry Out Loud is the best way I’ve ever seen to teach poetry in a classroom. This program gets the students to essentially teach poems to their classmates by reciting them in a way which gives the poem life. As a poet, I’m so grateful for this program and what it does.”  – Matt Mason, Nebraska State Poet (2019-2024)

 

Poetry Out Loud encourages teens to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Poetry Out Loud is an exciting way to bring poetry alive for both students and teachers.

As always, POL activities, including teaching artist sessions are FREE of charge.

For more information, follow Nebraska Poetry Out Loud on Facebook and visit the national Poetry Out Loud website.

Poetry Out Loud Nebraska Registration

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026

Teachers, librarians, and non-profit administrators: use this form to register for Poetry Out Loud. Once you submit your registration form, NAC staff will contact you about artist visits, program stipends, and other information.

Nebraska high schools, public libraries, and non-profits are invited to participate in this free program. Participating students compete for a free trip to Washington D.C. and more than $50,000 in scholarships and prizes. Poetry Out Loud meets many Nebraska ELA and theatre standards, as well as NCTE standards.

 

Nebraska Arts Council provides personalized assistance to help you get started with your program.

 

Stipends of up to $200 are available to support your program activities.

    • NAC will contact registered schools and organizations with details.

 

We are pleased to offer the services of poets and performing artists who can assist you and your students with POL at no cost to your organization.

Registered schools and organizations may request an in-person or virtual visit with an Artist to help get your program started and/or provide coaching to students as they prepare. Visits and coaching are subject to scheduling availability and cannot be guaranteed. 

 

    • For an in-person Artist Visit/Coaching (October – November), requests must be made by September 30th.
    • Virtual coaching sessions for students are available through January and must be requested by November 15th.

 

Open registration for free virtual group Masterclass sessions with Artists are TBA.

  • Virtual attendance of these sessions will be offered to all NE students participating in POL this year.

September 2026- December 1st, 2026: Conduct a local POL program in your school, library, or non-profit

  • A new Poetry Out Loud website with an updated anthology of poems will be available September 1st.
  • A new 2026-2027 digital Guide for Teachers and Organizers is available here. 
  • Students explore the POL anthology and select poems to research and recite.
  • Carry out your program with optional teaching artist visits and coaching sessions.
  • POL school/organization coordinators may choose to have students recite one or two poems in your local competition.
  • Hold your local/school competition to determine your student champ who will advance to State Qualifier competition. A local competition among multiple students is required to advance your winning student to the State Qualifiers round.
  • Important: Once your student champ has won the local contest, they will need time to record two recitation videos before the State Qualifiers submission deadline.

 

December 2nd, 2026 – January 15th, 2027: State Qualifiers video submissions due

  • Submit video recordings of your student champ’s two poem recitations anytime between December 2nd and January 15th.

 

January 25th, 2027: State Finalists Announced

  • Winners of the Qualifier competition will be notified.
  • Students must choose a third poem to recite at State Finals.

 

February 1st, 2027: State Finals poem selection deadline

  • Deadline for students competing in the State Finals to notify NAC of their three selected poems and the order they will be recited.

 

February 28th, 2027 (Sunday) 1:00pm-3:30pm: State Finals Competition (Venue TBA)

  • Travel stipends will be offered.

 

April 26-28, 2027: National Poetry Out Loud Competition in Washington, DC

  • The Nebraska state champion (and chaperone) wins a free trip to Washington to participate in the national competition.

We are pleased to offer stipends to participating schools, libraries, and non-profits. Your stipend can be used in different ways to carry out your program; it may be used as payment to local coordinators or others who help to conduct the program, for travel expenses, or for supplies expenses. Funds may not be used to pay student participants.

NAC will contact registered schools and organizations details.

News

Poetry Out Loud

View All