For Immediate Release: October 29, 2009
Contact: Jeff Morgan
Public Relations
515.281.3858
Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov
Deadline looms for 2010 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa program
Schools must register with IAC by Dec. 1 to participate in state competition
(DES MOINES, Iowa) — The 2010 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa program began with the new academic year, and the deadline for schools to register as official participants in the statewide competition comes in December.
Administered in Iowa by the Iowa Arts Council, POL is national program created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to encourage students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, which help them master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about literary heritage.
In September, IAC began distributing POL materials to interested middle and high school teachers, who can now contact IAC at poetryoutloud.dca@iowa.gov by Dec. 1, 2009, to register their schools as official POL participants and to receive curriculum packets.
“I strongly encourage teachers to register their schools for participation in Poetry Out Loud,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Cyndi Pederson said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for educators to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Students who participate not only learn great poetry, they develop skills that will last them a lifetime.”
Iowa students have participated in classroom competitions since 2005, with winners advancing to school and state competitions. Students from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico move on each year to compete for scholarships and cash prizes at the National Finals.
This year, IAC is partnering with three arts organizations – Arts on Grand in Spencer; Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls; and Lamb Arts LTD in Sioux City – to promote poetry in Iowa.
The organizations are providing professional development and workshop opportunities for teachers and students this fall, and have appointed local professional poets to be available for classroom and school residencies. Participating POL schools can apply through a simple funding program to bring poets to their classrooms by visiting www.iowaartscouncil.org.
The 2010 Poetry Out Loud in Iowa state competition will be March 6, 2010, in Des Moines, and the National Finals will be April 25-28, 2010, in Washington, DC. Last year, Mia Pierson of Roland-Story High School represented Iowa at the National Finals.
Teachers can visit www.poetryoutloud.org or contact IAC’s Dawn Martinez Oropeza at dawn.oropeza@iowa.gov for more information.
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The Iowa Arts Council is a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and works to enrich the quality of life for Iowans through support of the arts. Funding for the Iowa Arts Council and its programs is provided by the state of Iowa and the National Endowment for the Arts. More information at www.iowaartscouncil.org.