The virtual stage is set!

The Arkansas Arts Council, in partnership with Arkansas Heritage, is pleased to announce Arkansas Poetry Out Loud, the statewide poetry recitation competition, will be held virtually starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 13.

High school students who won poetry competitions via their schools or educational groups statewide will compete for the State title. The Arkansas champion will have the opportunity to compete at the national level for a chance to win $20,000 this spring.

Attending the virtual Arkansas Poetry Out Loud event is free and open to the public. Reservations are available through Eventbrite.

Arkansas Poetry Out Loud helps students develop their oration, presentation and creative skills while also increasing self-confidence and instilling a love of poetry. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages youth to learn, appreciate and perform poetry.

A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation and the state and jurisdictional arts agencies, the program offers free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country.

An independent panel of judges will determine which students advance to the national competition. The state and national competitions are being held virtually as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.