Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Rather than being a simple exercise in memorization, learning to recite poetry encompasses college and career ready skills, including structural analysis, interpretation of meaning, point of view, close-reading and the use of higher order thinking skills. In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud program will focus on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture. The National Poetry Out Loud program is continuing to update the Poetry Out Loud Anthology through October 31, 2025, in celebration of America’s literary heritage.

Registration will be open online through December 1, 2025, with the Alaska State Competition to take place in Juneau in March, and the National Competition in Washington, DC in April!

We encourage all to participate, whether you’re representing your school or participating as an individual. We intend participation in Poetry Out Loud to be simple and accessible to all! Both public and private schools are eligible to participate in the Alaska Poetry Out Program. Alaska students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in Alaska Poetry Out Loud, with an exception made for 8th-grade students participating in a 9th- through 12th-grade class. For complete eligibility information visit the National Poetry Out Loud website.

Please click here to download and read the Registration Information and Guide for Alaska Poetry Out Loud in 2025-2026!

Click here to register for Alaska Poetry Out Loud 2025 – 2026!

Summer A.H. Christiansen, AK POL Coordinator-Juneau Arts and Humanities Council
email: summer@jahc.org
phone: (907) 586-2787

Laura Forbes, Arts Education Program Director
Alaska State Council on the Arts
email: laura.forbes@alaska.gov
phone: (907) 269-6682