Poetry Out Loud Program

The SFCA and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth invites high school students from across the state to compete in the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest, presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry ­ recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English classroom. Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self­-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Poetry Out Loud began in 2006 and Honolulu Theatre for Youth has been the SFCA partner to implement the program statewide ever since.

The NEA and the Poetry Foundation provide state arts agencies (including the SFCA) with free, standards-based curriculum materials for use by participating schools. These materials include an online poetry anthology and a Teacher’s Guide with sample lesson plans to help instructors teach recitation and performance. Program materials are also available for download on the website, www.PoetryOutLoud.org, which offers additional resources.