Arts Education

In February, Jonathan Costa became the first contestant to represent Napa County in the Poetry Out Loud program sponsored by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment of the Arts. Jonathan attends New Tech High School in Napa. View video to the right and watch and hear his talents!

As the school year winds down we would like to remind you that the Poetry Out Loud program will be launching again early in the 2010-2011 school year. School competitions will take place in the fall, the Napa County finals early in the new year and the California State finals in February.

If you would like more information on the Poetry Out Loud program please visit the California Arts Council at www.cac.ca.gov where you will find links to both the California and National competition. You can also use the links to the left to download a mini-poster for your classroom or view videos of the state competition.

This program includes teacher's guides and other tools to simplify participation. If you would like to see what is available please visit http://poetryoutloud.org/.

We sincerely hope you will all take part in this great literary arts opportunity. If you are interested in participating this coming school year please contact us.

What is Poetry Out Loud?

Recitation and performance are major new trends in poetry. There has been a recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of hip-hop music. California Poetry Out Loud builds on this momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into California classrooms.

The California Arts Council has partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to support the expansion of California Poetry Out Loud, which encourages the state's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This exciting program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

How Does the Program Work?

Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners will advance to the school-wide competition, then to the state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals. More information about the contest's structure can be found here.

Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. A runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. A total of $50,000 in awards and school stipends at the National Finals will be awarded to the winners.

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Arts Council Napa Valley facilitates the Poetry Out Loud program for Napa County as a sub-set, but independent project of the ACNV Arts Education program---energizing the arts in Napa County schools.

Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, California Arts Council and Arts Council Napa Valley.

March 2010 Update

Congratulations to Jonathan Costa, 1st Place Winner, and Steven Craig, 2nd Place Winner! Contestants competed on Tuesday, February 9th and impressed the audience with their talent and theatrics! Winners will now go to the State Competition March 14, 2010! Click here to see photos on Arts Council Napa Valley's Fan page!.

2010 New Tech Winners Announced!

Contestants have been chosen to go on to the Napa County Poetry Out Loud Competition Feb 9, 2010, 7pm at New Tech High, 920 Yount Street, Napa. The public is encouraged to attend the competition in show support of our talented youth. Mark your calendars!

1st Place - Anna Wheeler
2nd Place - Alejandra Leon
3rd Place - Steven Craig
4th Place tie - Alena Nelson & Jonathan Costa

Arts Council Napa Valley will be awarding prizes to the first and second place winners. First place winners will go to the State Competition in March of 2010. Congratulations to all---you did a fantastic job! ~Margaret Dennet, Art / Drama Instructor of New Tech High & Arts Council Napa Valley