CONTACT:
pol@jahc.org
(907) 586-2787

ANCHORAGE, AK – 09 October 2024 – The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, Alaska State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation present Poetry Out Loud™ in partnership. This national arts education program encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. This program helps students master public speaking skills and build self-confidence, while also learning more about both classic and contemporary poetry. Registration for Alaska Poetry Out Loud in 2024-2025 is open for schools and students in grades 9-12! 

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! Prior to winter break, schools are invited to register for Alaska Poetry Out Loud (through November 15, 2024) and hold classroom and school wide contests. At-large individual students participating in Poetry Out Loud—where a school program is not available—may also register by November 15, 2024. School and at-large registering students then advance to regional competition, and 10 students from across Alaska will advance to a state competition to be held in Juneau on March 5, 2025. Non-school organizations, such as after school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may also choose to run Poetry Out Loud local competitions in partnership with schools. 

Complete information, registration, timeline, and contact for the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Competition is available on the Juneau arts & Humanities Council website at

https://www.jahc.org/education/poetry­out-loud/.

Information about the National Poetry Out Loud Competition is linked from the Alaska State Poetry Out Loud website and includes resources such as the Official Poetry Out Loud Anthology,  Lesson Plans, and information about Organizing a Competition (both in-person and virtual) available at https://www.poetryoutloud.org/. 

State champions will advance to the national finals, which are planned to take place in Washington, DC, May 5-7, 2025, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed. 

Since the program began in 2005, more than 4.4 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud. In 2024, Mona Koka represented Alaska at the National Poetry Out Loud Competition, in the National Semi-finals. 

Benjamin Brown, Chairman of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, noted, “Poetry Out Loud is truly one of the most amazing programs ever initiated by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is stunning how much it has grown since its inception in 2005, providing ever greater benefits to thousands of Alaskan students.” 

Alaska State Poetry Out Loud Website: https://www.jahc.org/education/poetry-out-loud/

National Poetry Out Loud Website: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/ 

Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) represents, supports, and advances the creative endeavors of individuals, organizations, and agencies throughout Alaska. ASCA is a public corporation housed in the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, and is governed by eleven council members appointed by the Governor. It is supported with general funds appropriated by the Alaska State Legislature and partnership funds through the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support for arts education programs from Rasmuson Foundation. 

The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council (the Council) incorporated in 1973. It is the formal arts agency for the Capital City of Juneau, Alaska and operates the Juneau Arts and Culture Center (JACC), a vibrant community center; providing a location for concerts and events, rotating gallery, and a lobby gift shop. The Council offers programming in performance, visual, literary, and arts education as well as grants, scholarships, and helpful resources for local artists.