Free poetry recitation program
Michigan high schools, including home schools, are invited to participate in a free poetry recitation program of the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation.
Poetry Out Loud encourages youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, while also mastering public speaking skills, building self-confidence and learning about literary heritage. The program, which is held in Michigan by the Michigan Humanities Council and Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, has engaged more than 33,000 students throughout the state since 2005.
Each participating high school receives free teacher resources and incorporates poetry into the curriculum. Schools hold their own competitions, where they will select a student to represent their school at the state finals, to be held in March 2013 in East Lansing. Travel to and from the state competition for eligible teachers, students and parents can be reimbursed after program evaluation.
The state champion will receive a $200 award and all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the national championship where one student will win a $20,000 college scholarship. The state champion’s school receives a $500 stipend toward the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in the state competition will receive $100, along with $200 for his/her school library.
School champions are also invited to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, a three-day event showcasing artistic talent throughout Michigan high schools.
To learn more about this program and how to register your school, visit www.michiganhumanities.org/programs/poetry.
About the Michigan Humanities Council.
The Michigan Humanities Council is a private, nonprofit organization created to foster a better understanding of each other and our state through local cultural, historical and literary experiences for all. The Council was founded in 1974 and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and individual donors.
For more information on future programs, upcoming grant opportunities or how you can support these efforts, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org or call (517) 372-7770.