The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with state arts agencies of the United States to support Poetry Out Loud, which encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.

"High school students participate in classroom and school-wide competitions before the winners advance to regional competitions. The Region 3 competition is held at the Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa. Students reaching this stage will have their original poetry published in a chapbook produced by Slash Pine Press. The competition is open to the public at no charge."

Poetry Out Loud is facilitated in Alabama by the Alabama State Council on the Arts and regional coordinators which for region 3 is The Arts Council.

To find out how to get involved in Poetry Out Loud contact Sharron Rudowski at education@tuscarts.org or visit www.poetryoutloud.org

REGION 3 PROGRAM CALENDAR 2011-2012

Intensive Coaching for Regional Winners TBA by Region: December/January

Student Poem Selections and Order for State Finals: due January 7, 2013

State Finals: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery, AL: February 18, 2013

National Finals: Washington D.C.: April 29 & 30, 2013

Poetry Out Loud is a program made possible by a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation.