Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest

The Betty Strong Encounter Center will host as the Iowa Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with LAMB Arts Regional Theatre present “Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest.” Admission is free with reception to follow.

This is the 19th year since the National Endowment for the Arts first partnered with the Poetry Foundation to establish the Poetry Out Loud program, a program encouraging high school students to learn great poetry through memorization and recitation.
This contest for Siouxland students encourages learning about great poetry through memorization and recitation. The program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about literary history. This competition can potentially send students on to Des Moines for the Iowa State Competition and one to Sioux Falls for the S.D. State Competition, both held in March. Each winner at the state level receives $200 and an all-expense paid trip with an adult chaperone to Washington DC to compete for the National Championship in May. The State winning school receives a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The first runner up in each state receives $100 plus $200 for his or her school library.

The National Poetry Out Loud first place winner directly receives $20,000, the second place receives $10,000 directly, and third place receives $5,000. The fourth through ninth place national winners each receive $1000. All nine schools receive $500 for the purchase of poetry books for their libraries. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends is awarded annually at the National Finals.