DC Poetry Out Loud

DC Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation competition for high school students, organized in the District by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Participants learn about poetry through memorization and recitation, developing public speaking skills and confidence. The program operates within the national Poetry Out Loud framework, with participation coordinated through schools and local organizations in DC for the 2026-2027 cycle.

DC high school students; schools and organizations register for the program through their state arts agency, with other ways into the official competition available via Poetry Out Loud coordinators.

Open the application for DC Poetry Out Loud