Poetry Out Loud
What is Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud® lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. Through this program, high school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history. A partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating state and jurisdictional arts agencies, Poetry Out Loud provides free lesson plans and other educational materials to teachers and organizers, including an online poem anthology.
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud program will focus on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture.
The program starts at the classroom/school or at the local level with an area organization. Winners then advance to the state competition, and ultimately to the national finals. Awards and placements are determined solely by the judges’ scores based on the Poetry Out Loud Evaluation Criteria.
Non-school organizations, such as after school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may also choose to run Poetry Out Loud. Students may only compete in one stream—either with their school or an organization. Students unable to participate at their school or local organization should contact their state Poetry Out Loud coordinator to discuss other opportunities for inclusion in the state’s official competition.
Poetry Out Loud is presented through a partnership with New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and National Endowment for the Arts.
Click HERE for Poetry Out Loud FAQ.
Why Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud® lifts poetry of the page, creating community and connection.
Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.5 million high school students have participated in this dynamic poetry recitation competition. Poetry Out Loud can help students improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow their appreciation for poetry.
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud program will focus on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture. An updated list of poems for this year’s competition is available at PoetryOutLoud.org.
Poetry Out Loud is a fun and dynamic way to introduce students to poetry.
- Poetry Out Loud builds self-confidence and helps develop social and emotional maturity.
- The thrill of competition encourages students to do their best and support their peers.
- Poetry Out Loud creates lifelong lovers of poetry and creative writing.
- Poetry Out Loud offers an opportunity for all types of students to succeed.
Poetry Out Loud is easy to implement.
- Poetry Out Loud materials are completely free.
- All types of high schools are welcome to participate as well as homeschool students. Non-school organizations, such as after-school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations may choose to run Poetry Out Loud as well.
- The program is flexible, can be folded into an existing curriculum, and meets National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Common Core, and National Core Arts Standards.
- This guide and online supplemental materials contain everything you need to teach the program successfully and conduct a competition—whether in-person or virtually.
Poetry Out Loud inspires learning.
- Students improve their analytical skills through reading and interpreting a variety of poems.
- Poetry Out Loud fosters confidence in students’ own writing.
- Poetry Out Loud can forge stronger connections between teachers and students.
- Poetry Out Loud promotes creativity and success in other disciplines.
Timeline 2025 - 26
Participating schools can implement the program following their registration with New Mexico Arts. Below is a suggested timeline. Schools and organizations can go at their own pace if competition winners are submitted by Monday, January 26, 2026. State Finals take place on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque.
- December 5, 2025: Deadline for schools and organizations to register for 2026 Poetry Out Loud.
- December 2025: student participants are identified, work begins in classrooms/clubs/organizations), students select poems for memorization and recitation.
- January 2026: School/Organization competitions are held. Where applicable, district-wide competitions will be held to select a winner to represent the district at the state finals.
- January 26, 2026: School/District winners reported to state coordinator and student poetry selections for state finals are due.
- March 8, 2026: New Mexico State Finals will be held in Albuquerque at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.
- April 27 – April 29, 2026: National Finals will take place in Washington D.C.
How Do I Get My School/Organization Involved?
Participating in the Poetry Out Loud program is FREE for both schools/organizations and students. An individual teacher, a group of teachers, the English or Theatre department or club, or an entire school decides to offer this opportunity to students. All materials and resources are provided free of charge.
To register for Poetry Out Loud, teachers should contact New Mexico Arts Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, Kevin Lenkner at (505) 412-5791 or kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov or register online HERE
In order to compete, schools and organizations must register by Friday, December 5, 2025.
- Once you’ve registered, invite students at your high school or organization to participate and plan to host a competition.
- Review the Guide for Teachers & Organizers t0 create your Poetry Out Loud program, including deadlines and competition dates, and then get started!
Technical Assistance to launch your Poetry Out Loud program is available upon request.
For more information or have a registration form mailed to you, contact New Mexico Arts Poetry Out Loud Coordinator, Kevin Lenkner at (505) 412-5791 or kevin.lenkner@dca.nm.gov
How Do I Teach It?
The NEA and The Poetry Foundation have created standards-based curriculum materials for participating schools to use. The Poetry Out Loud website offers resources for teachers including a teachers’ forum and the expanded online anthology of poetry that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture.
The program is designed to take one to three weeks to implement in a classroom setting. Many teachers who have participated used Poetry Out Loud in addition to, or as an extension of, their existing curriculum.
State and National Prizes
Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip (with an adult chaperone) to Washington, DC, to compete at the National Finals. The state winner’s school/organization receives $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for their school/organization.
At the national finals, a total of $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends are awarded annually including a $20,000 award for the National Champion, $10,000 for 2nd place, $5,000 for 3rd place, and $1,000 for 4th-12th place. The representing schools/organizations of each of the top 12 finalists receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials.
Visit the FAQ and rules sections for more details.
Poetry Ourselves New Mexico
2026 Poetry Ourselves New Mexico is a statewide original poetry competition for students in grades 9-12. Students are encouraged to submit one original poem, typed and no longer than 50 lines. Poems may focus on any topic, but students should remember that winning entries may be presented to the public.
The following awards will be made at the Judge’s discretion; (1) Award of Creative Excellence, (3-5) Awards of Creative Merit. Award recipients will receive Poetry Ourselves award certificates, recognition at Poetry Out Loud State Finals event in Albuquerque on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Award winners are not required to perform or recite their written poems.
Poetry Ourselves New Mexico compliments the New Mexico Poetry Out Loud recitation program enhancing opportunities for students to study and perform masterworks of poetry.
Students should use this LINK to upload their poem and complete their entry form.
Online submission of poem and entry forms are due January 26, 2026.
2025 Poetry Out Loud Participants
Kaitlyn Lubega: 2025 New Mexico Poetry Out Loud Champion
Jessica Helen Lopez: Event Coordinator
Michelle Laflamme-Childs: Femcee
Kevin Lenkner: Program Coordinator
Cousineau Studios: Photos
See previous years’ participants HERE