Montgomery, Ala., (September 24, 2026) — This school year, the Alabama State Council on the Arts invites high school students to participate in Poetry Out Loud, an arts education program of the National Endowment for the Arts. This dynamic poetry recitation competition is designed to improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and teach about literary history and contemporary life.

This October through December, schools are invited to hold classroom and school-wide competitions. Non-school organizations, such as after-school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may also choose to participate in Poetry Out Loud. Free, standards-based curriculum materials are available at PoetryOutLoud.org.

After competing at the local level, winning students will advance to regional competitions and then on to the state finals, happening February 25, 2027, in Montgomery. The Alabama state champion will advance to the national finals in April in Washington, D.C., where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.

“Each year, students, parents, and teachers tell us that Poetry Out Loud has a lasting impact on participants,” said Mary Anne Carter, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “By studying and reciting poetry, young people discover new ways to connect with language, express complex ideas and emotions with confidence, and stand before an audience ready to use their voice.”

How to get involved in Alabama’s Poetry Out Loud

“Programs like Poetry Out Loud bring together students who may not have otherwise formed connections,” said Kaci Norman, who manages arts in education programs for the Alabama State Council on the Arts. “Last year, 240 Alabama high school students participated in Poetry Out Loud workshops and competitions, and we hope to reach even more young people this school year.”

Alabama is one of the few states that offers an original poetry competition, which gives students the option to showcase their creative writing skills. Students can compete in the national recitation category, the original poetry category, or both.

High schools and organizations that wish to be part of Alabama’s 2026-2027 Poetry Out Loud program must contact their Regional Coordinator by November 30 to participate.

• Region 1: Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Choctaw, Conecuh, Covington, Escambia, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington, & Wilcox Counties. Coordinator: Lyza Rodriguez, Mobile Arts Council (lyza@mobilearts.org)

• Region 2: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, & Tallapoosa Counties. Coordinator: Maiben Beard, Auburn University (meb0015@auburn.edu)

• Region 3: Bibb, Dallas, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Perry, Sumter, Tuscaloosa, Walker, & Winston Counties. Coordinator: Joanna Lemmon, Arts Council of Tuscaloosa (education@tuscarts.org)

• Region 4: Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Jefferson, Randolph. Shelby, St. Claire, & Talladega Counties. Coordinator: Richard Evans, Alabama Writers’ Forum (richard@writersforum.org)

• Region 5: Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, & Morgan Counties. Coordinator: Amy Patel (pol.alregion5@gmail.com)