Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest

Poetry is our oldest literary art form.
Fiction, non-fiction, and drama, all
arose from poetry—the currency of civilizations. Poetry, spoken out loud, made sense of  a people's collective
story. It soothed the soul, ignited the imagination,  broadcast the news, and created myths-- the framework of all human behavior.

Mary Swander, Iowa Poet Laureate

Iowa Poetry Out Loud Creates New Partnerships

The Iowa Arts Council is spreading Poetry Out Loud across the state! IAC is partnering with 3 arts organizations to promote poetry in Iowa: Arts on Grand, Spencer; Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Cedar Falls; and Lamb Arts LTD, Sioux City. Each organization will be providing professional development and workshop opportunities for teachers and students starting this fall! Each partner organization has appointed local professional poets to a IAC poet listing to be available for classroom and school residencies. Participating POL schools can apply through a simple funding program to bring these poets into your classroom. Go to Partner Information to find out about the poets and the EZ 1.2.3 POL grant program!

PARTNERS

Educators: to register your school for participation in Iowa’s 2010 Poetry Out Loud program, send an email now to PoetryOutLoud.dca@iowa.gov!