MAINE'S 2025-2026 POETRY OUT LOUD PROGRAM
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Poetry Out Loud®, a transformative arts education program that has reached over four million high school students since 2005. Poetry Out Loud connects students, educators, and communities by celebrating poetry through recitation and performance, helping participants develop public speaking skills and a deeper appreciation for literature.
With access to an anthology of 1,200 classic and contemporary poems, students explore themes from literary history to modern life. Competitions begin in the classroom, advancing to state and national levels, with finalists competing for a grand prize of $20,000. Poetry Out Loud offers over $100,000 in annual awards for winners and their schools.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary by introducing your students to this enriching experience. Visit PoetryOutLoud.org for free resources and details on how to host your own competition.
Bring POL to Your Students
Each school year, this program invites thousands of students, teachers, and librarians to deeply engage with poetry and performance. Students read and interpret a broad range of poems, from classical to contemporary, and then they choose one to memorize and perform in a dynamic contest.
The winner of each institution-level contest is invited to the state final, and our Maine champion goes on to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Final for prizes totaling $50,000 in cash awards and school stipends. It’s a pretty big deal!
Maine schools and libraries are registered by a staff member who serves as the POL lead, acting as the primary contact and coordinating organization-wide activity. Other organizations, such as home school cooperatives and non-profits, are also welcome to host Poetry Out Loud contests.
REGISTER for the 2025-2026 Maine Poetry Out Loud program.
KEY Dates
- February 2026: Southern Regional Finals - T.B.D.
- February 2026: Northern Regional Finals - T.B.D.
- February 2026: Northern Regional Final - T.B.D.
- March 2026: State Finals - T.B.D.
- April 13, 2026: Maine Poetry Celebration Day 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- April 27-29, 2026: National Finals - Washington DC
Questions? Contact the Poetry Out Loud Maine Coordinator, vog.eniam@zsaruK.anitsirhK