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Arts Commission News

Mississippi Arts Commission announces 2007-2008 Poetry Out Loud Program

DATE:             August 1 , 2007

CONTACT:     Susan Dobbs, Public Relations Director                                       601-359-6031 or sdobbs@arts.state.ms.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

JACKSON—The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) is pleased to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation to present Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.  Poetry Out Loud is a program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance and competition.  From September 2007 through January 2008, high schools statewide are invited to participate in classroom and school-wide contests, advancing to the third annual state finals, to be held in Jackson on Friday, March 14, 2008.  The state champion will advance to the National Finals in Washington D.C., April 28-29, 2008.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country.  Beginning at the classroom level, winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to the state competition, and ultimately advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC.  More than 100,000 students across the country are expected to participate in the 2007-2008 Poetry Out Loud program.

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry – recitation and performance.  The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of rap music among today’s youth.  Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word and theatre into the English class.  Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage.

“Learning great poetry by heart develops the mind and imagination,” said Dana Gioia, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.  “By immersing themselves in powerful language and ideas, the students will develop their ability to speak well, especially in public.  This is a skill they will use in the workplace and the community for the rest of their lives.”

The NEA and the Poetry Foundation have partnered to provide administrative grants to state arts agencies, prizes, and will coordinate the National Finals next April.  With the support of these national organizations, the Mississippi Arts Commission will target all high school students in the state.  Additionally, the NEA and the Poetry Foundation will provide state arts agencies with free, standards-based curriculum materials for participating schools.  

The program requires less than two or three weeks of class time and will provide an outstanding experience for the participating students. High school teachers who are interested in participating in Poetry Out Loud should contact Kim Whitt with the Mississippi Arts Commission at 601/359-6037 or kwhitt@arts.state.ms.us.  Teachers are invited to attend a Poetry Out Loud Teacher Training Workshop at New Stage Theatre in Jackson.  The workshop will be held on Friday, September 14, 2007 from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  Lunch will be provided along with gift bags and travel stipends for each registered school’s POL lead teacher. 

The Mississippi Arts Commission is a state agency, funded by the Mississippi legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Wallace Foundation and other private sources.  MAC is the official grants-making and service agency for the arts in Mississippi. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

For more information on the program contact Kim Whitt at 601/359-6037 or at kwhitt@arts.state.ms.us.  For a complete program outline visit www.poetryoutloud.org.

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