2026 ND Poetry Out Loud State Competition
WHEN:
February 23, 2026
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
WHERE:
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum
High school students from across the state will participate in the Poetry Out Loud State Finals at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. There will be two rounds of competition starting at 9:30 am with a final round at approximately 1:00 pm. While final scores are tabulated, spectators will have special entertainment. The award ceremony will begin at approximately 2:00 pm. The school of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The champion at the state level will receive $200 and advance to the 2026 Poetry Out Loud National Finals April 27-29 in Washington, DC where they will have a chance to compete for the grand prize of $20,000.
This event is free and open to the public.
FMI contact NDCA Arts in Education Director Matthew Anderson, mabanderson@nd.gov, 701-328-7593 or visit
www.arts.nd.gov/poetry-out-loud.