Poetry Out Loud is a National Arts Education Program that inspires high school students across the country to engage with great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition. This program is made possible through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and State and Jurisdictional Arts Agencies, providing students with free educational resources, classroom support, and a platform to develop their public speaking and literary analysis skills.
Each year, Madera County Arts Council is honored to bring this enriching experience to local students by hosting the Poetry Out Loud competition in Madera County. Participants have the opportunity to explore classic and contemporary poetry, refine their performance abilities, and build confidence in their voice. The county-wide competition showcases the talent and dedication of our students, and the winner earns the chance to represent Madera County at the state-level competition in Sacramento!
Poetry Out Loud is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of language, creativity, and the power of spoken word. We’re proud to support students in finding their voice, connecting with literature, and experiencing the transformative power of poetry.