Poetry Out Loud

The Los Angeles County Office of Education will not participate in the national Poetry Out Loud program for the 2025-26 school year. We appreciate your dedication to our students and their love for poetry. We will continue to share news about poetry programs in the County and state. Please see the County and state poetry opportunities below.

POETRY

The biggest youth spoken word event in Los Angeles is back, and your students can be part of it!

Fifteen years. Thousands of young voices. One legendary stage.

Get Lit's Classic Slam is back—and they're inviting new and returning teachers to bring students into the most electrifying literacy experience of the year at Ace*Mission Studios in Los Angeles. The Classic Slam celebrates student poets who respond to classic literature with original spoken-word performances, building confidence, literacy, and joy through voice.

Quarterfinals & Semifinals: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Finals (The Big Stage): Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Classic Slam is Get Lit's signature student performance event, where young people:

• Study a classic poem
• Write an original response
• Perform live onstage

Who Can Participate?

• Middle & high school students
• Poetry teams of 4-6 students & a teacher coach, school "entourage", and visual artists
• First-time and returning Get Lit teachers

What Support Is Provided?

• Teaching artist guidance
• Lunch for all attendees
• Transportation support when needed
• A celebratory, affirming environment for students and educators

What's New?

• Free spots for 10 additional schools! Priority to schools that participated in Poetry Out Loud.

Teachers who are interested, fill out the Classic Slam INTEREST FORM today!

View Interest Form

Applications Due March 27, 2026

Expressing Feelings Through Art (EFTA) is an arts and literacy program delivered to public high school students of L.A. County. Students in 9th through 12th grade are challenged to create art pieces that tell stories that hold personal meanings for them. Topics run the gamut of subject matter and emotional tone and are often as moving as they are original. The students must also engage in an exercise of mind mapping & writing that sheds light on their visual imagery, provoking a thoughtful articulation of the stories they were artistically driven to tell and emotions they explored.

Applying is easy & FREE!

1. Step 1: Go to the website: www.lightbringerproject.org/expressingfeelings
2. Step 2: Review the guidelines
3. Step 3: Make a mind map
4. Step 4: Make your art piece
5. Step 5: Write your artist statement (100 words)
6. Step 6: Submit your artwork

EFTA Opening Reception will take place on Sunday, April 26th 2026 from 3 - 5 P.M. at the North Figueroa Bookshop 6040 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles CA 90042.

Downbeat 720 is L.A.'s premier open stage for teens. This is where teen artists speak their truth through poetry, music, comedy and more. Your stage. Your voice. Your moment. Come perform or just feel the energy — all are welcome.

Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday

Sign-up at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:20 p.m.

The Miles Memorial Playhouse at 1130 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403

For more information on the California Poetry Out Loud program and how to participate, visit www.capoetryoutloud.org/.