Earlier this fall, we opened registration for our state’s Poetry Out Loud program. Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that lifts poetry off the page by offering free educational materials and a recitation competition for high school students across the country.

If your library is interested in learning more about program partnership, please let me know and I can send you the Zoom details for our upcoming program kick-off meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

We often hear from libraries who serve high school students or collaborate with local schools about their interest in the program. I’d love to share more details with you one-on-one or via next week’s meeting.

The 2026–27 Poetry Out Loud season marks the 22nd year of this statewide, free program. Last year, more than 3,000 students and 75 teachers participated across Michigan. All types of high schools are welcome to participate, including public, private, parochial, independent, charter and homeschool. Non-school organizations, such as after school clubs, libraries, or nonprofit organizations, may partner as well. Online registration is open until December 4, 2026.

I’ve attached a press release so that you can learn more about the program and our statewide partnership with the Michigan Arts and Culture Council that makes Michigan Poetry Out Loud possible.

I look forward to talking with you soon,

Katie

Katie Wittenauer (she/her)

Director of Programs | kwittenauer@mihumanities.org | LinkedIn

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Michigan Humanities

PO Box 91

Marshall, MI 49068

517-372-7770, ext. 294

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Mission: Bringing people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations.