Poetry Out Loud Recitation Competition 2021
In the midst of a truly unpredictable year, we have seen moments of extraordinary resiliency. One such glimmer was the October announcement of the Inaugural City of Rockford Youth Poet Laureate, Jocelyn Kuntz. As Youth Poet Laureate, Jocelyn will support the annual event of the Poetry Out Loud recitation competition for 2021.
In the classroom or online, high school Speech, English, or Theater students can participate in Poetry Out loud 2021. In the sixteenth season of Poetry Out Loud, the regional and state contests will be virtual. As Northern Illinois Regional Coordinator, we will make the submission and evaluation process easy and accessible.
Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE) English Language Arts Standards. In addition to memorizing and performing stellar poems, students will have the opportunity to discuss poetry and—if the teacher wishes to use the supplemental lesson plans—to write poetry of their own.
Competing: This year students can record themselves reciting a memorized poem for submission.
How to navigate Poetry Out loud for your students: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/teachers-organizers/
The poetry selection anthology is live for students now.
Please follow the instructions here to get started: https://arts.illinois.gov/grants-programs/special-initiatives/poetry-out-loud/how-participate
2021 POL Contests:
Northern Illinois Regional: February 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Illinois State: Early March
Although we cannot be in-person for school competitions, we are happy to know that your students can participate in this wonderful program safely.
Contact: Kate Kilgore
Education & Community Engagement Director
Rockford Area Arts Council
k.kilgore@artsforeveryone.com
2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards
Applications are open for the 2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards.
2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards Nomination Form
2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards Youth Nomination Form
Awards Categories
Lifetime Achievement or In Memorial: This award is given by the Rockford Area Arts Award Committee; the committee is composed of various Rockford artists and arts/culture organizations.
City of Rockford Distinguished Artist of the Year: This individual is recognized as distinguished in his/her field and makes a significant contribution to the Rockford community through the arts. This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as an arts ambassador for the City of Rockford.
Young Arts Ambassador: Youth counterpart to City of Rockford Distinguished Artist; to serve as a youth ambassador of the arts to the community of Rockford for one year.
Visual Artist of the Year: Recognizes individual artist who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the visual arts field in Rockford.
Performing Artist of the Year: Recognizes individual artist or ensemble who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the performing arts field in Rockford.
New Media Artist of the Year: Recognizes an individual artist or ensemble who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the field of New Media in Rockford.
Public Art of the Year: Awarded to individual, business, or organization that sponsored a significant contribution to public art in Rockford.
Film of the Year: Awarded to an individual, business, or organization that produced the best, local, film of the year.
Arts Innovator or Innovation in the Arts Award: Individual, business, or organization that demonstrated exceptional innovation in the arts.
Arts Educator of the Year: Educator who demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentorship in the Rockford Area.
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award: Recognizes an individual, business, or organization who made a significant contribution in support of the arts in the Rockford Area.
Placemaking/Spacemaking: Recognizes an individual, business, organization, or event that enhances life, for Rockford residents, through the arts.
2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards Nomination Form
2020 Rockford Area Arts Awards Youth Nomination Form
Today at Shumway – December 2020
November and December are months focused on gratitude and recognition of the abundance in our lives–family, work opportunities, education possibilities, and our own voices. Art values the voices of all–with no exclusionary intentions–and the Arts Council values each of you. Thank you.
The Rockford Area Arts Council’s mission is simple–to support, promote, and develop access to the arts for everyone. We are the collective voice for individual artists and regional arts organizations—and you!
In December’s Today at Shumway:
Poet Laureate update
Women’s Suffrage Centennial Sculpture installation
The arts in Rockford, Year-in-review video
Arts Council Annual Appeal
Letter from the Executive Director and more!
Read the December newsletter
Help make our vision a reality! Join today or contribute to support the arts!
Your gift supports the artists, promotes arts, and cultural organizations and develops the awareness of the importance of the arts for everyone.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rockford Area Arts Council whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. Sign up here.
Rockford Area Arts Council
713 E State St.
Rockford, IL 61104
815.963.6765
info @ artsforeveryone.com
