Poetry Out Loud!

Poetry Out Loud is back! The Arts Council is working with the Louisiana Division of the Arts to present the 2012 round of this innovative arts education program. Poetry Out Loud was initiated in 2005 by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, and it's designed to challenge high school students to memorize and recite poetry in a competitive setting.

From left: Justine Chiappetta of the Poetry Foundation, David Douglas, and Dana LaFonta of the Louisiana Division of the Arts

Last year, our Louisiana State Champion came from Lake Charles's Washington-Marion High School. David Douglas competed at the national tier of the competition in Washington, D.C. for the chance to win over $50,000 in awards and scholarships, including a $20,000 prize for the National Champion.

Schools and libraries across Southwest Louisiana have been tasked with hosting the first tier of the competition, and this year six schools and libraries will send their top contestants to our Southwest Louisiana Regional Competition on Friday, February 17th. Students will compete at 6 p.m. in the Central School theatre, and the top three competitors will go on to compete at the State Competition in March. Prizes will be awarded at Regionals, and a reception will be held afterwards. For details, contact us at 439-ARTS.