Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials, coaching by local Poet-Teachers, and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. 

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with the California Arts Council and California Poets in the Schools to support the expansion of Poetry Out Loud in California. This exciting program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Locally, the Arts Council of Mendocino County partners with these national and state organizations to bring Poetry Out Loud to Mendocino County.

2010 Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud Program

2009 Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud Program

2008 Mendocino County Poetry Out Loud Program

If you are a Mendocino County teacher interested in bringing Poetry Out Loud to your classroom, please contact the Arts Council of Mendocino County at (707) 961-5449 or by email.

More About Poetry Out Loud
National Poetry Out Loud website: www.poetryoutloud.org
Poetry Out Loud on the California Arts Council website: www.cac.ca.gov/programs/pol.php

CONTEST STRUCTURE AND AWARDS
Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to the school-wide competition, the county competition, then to the state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals.

Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. A runner-up in each state receives $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends at the National Finals are awarded to the winners.

PROGRAM MATERIALS
Poetry Out Loud curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a teachers guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and a comprehensive Website. Hard copies of all materials are free for schools participating in the official program. All curriculum materials are also available for download on the Poetry Out Loud Website. Schools not officially involved in the official contest are welcome to use the online materials.

While teachers, students, and poetry lovers everywhere can use this website and its accompanying educational materials to organize their own recitation contests, the official contest is limited to the programs run by each state's Arts Agency.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Poetry Out Loud materials are sent to high schools in September, and participating schools run the program through early winter. (The program requires only two or three weeks of class time.) States hold their competitions in March. Following the state finals, the National Finals and Semifinals are held in Washington, DC in April.