The Chicago Poetry Center is pleased to serve in its 8th year as the Chicagoland Regional Host Organization for the national Poetry Out Loud Teen Competition. Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative project in partnership with Illinois Arts Council Agency, Poetry Foundation, and seven arts agencies, each of which hosts a regional contest.
The Chicagoland regionals two-day competition will be held at the Poetry Foundation. The competition is free to attend but registration is requested. Competitors are high school students from the Chicago city area and surrounding suburbs, who have won the competition at their school or local arts organization. You can register to attend one or both contests.
*Please note the Performance Space seats only 120 guests, so seating is limited, with priority given to student participants and their guests.
Contest Dates:
City schools: Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 10am-1pm.
Registration deadline: Feb. 4, 2025
Suburban Schools: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 10am-1pm.
Registration deadline: Feb. 11, 2025
Location: Poetry Foundation: 61 W. Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654
Entrance Description: The building is located at the corner of Dearborn Street and Superior Street. The entrance begins by the ramp or steps at the corner where the tree lined courtyard opens. Walking through the tree lined courtyard leads past the performance space and gallery, to the doors which are just before the library.
For Accessibility, Health & Safety click Visit | Poetry Foundation
For any questions about the contests or registration please contact the Chicagoland Regionals Coordinator: Joy Young, joy@poetrycenter.org
Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through analysis, memorization, performance, and competition. The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, in conjunction with state arts agencies, support this nation-wide program with participants from all fifty states including Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico. More information can be found at www.poetryoutloud.org
Please register for the contests Here
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency
