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PrizeWhere: Arkansas onlyArkansas only$Who gets the money: Goes to the school and the studentOpen

Arkansas Arts Council (with the National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation)

Poetry Out Loud

A free poetry recitation contest for high schoolers. Arkansas state winners earn cash and money for their school to buy poetry books, and the national champion wins $20,000. Homeschoolers can take part.

Amount
State: $200 to the champion and $500 to their school for poetry materials; runner-up $100 and $200 to their school. National: up to $20,000
Can a for-profit school apply?
?Unclear: ask the funder
Deadline
Open
Who this fits
Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opHigh school students (grades 9 to 12) at schools or organizations registered with the Arkansas coordinator. Homeschoolers can compete at a local school or with other homeschoolers.?Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
New schools
Brand-new schools can apply
Where
Arkansas only
Last checked
Oct 10, 2026on poetryoutloud.org
Apply on the funder’s site↗(opens arkansasheritage.com in a new tab)

Unconfirmed: check with the funder

We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.

  • ?Arkansas's 2026-27 registration deadline and state final date.
  • ?Which prize amounts Arkansas uses this year (state page and national FAQ differ).

How to apply

  1. Step 1: Contact the Arkansas Arts Council's arts in education program manager to register
  2. Step 2: Run a classroom or group contest
  3. Step 3: Send your winner to the next level

Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.

Who can apply

“Homeschooled students may participate by competing in a competition at a local school (at the school’s discretion) or with other local homeschooled students.”
In the funder’s own words, from poetryoutloud.org, checked Oct 10, 2026.

Students memorize and recite poems from the official anthology. Only schools and organizations registered with the state coordinator are in the official contest. Prize amounts above are from the national FAQ for 2026-27; the Arkansas page still shows older amounts ($500 to the state champion, $300 school stipend for the alternate). The Arkansas page says homeschools and organizations with high school students can take part. The program is free.

  • Students in grades 9 to 12
  • Register with the Arkansas Arts Council coordinator
  • Hold a school or group contest first

Timing

The 2026-27 season is underway. The Arkansas state final was February 28, 2026 last year; the 2027 national finals are April 27 to 28. Arkansas's 2026-27 registration deadline is not posted, so contact the Arts Council soon.

Not legal or tax advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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Homebook Funding Helper

This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Whether your school should be for-profit or a nonprofit, or take on a loan, is a decision for your CPA or attorney. Always confirm the details on the funder’s own page before you apply.

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