Poetry Out Loud student submission deadline Feb. 28
Poetry Out Loud is a free program for students in grades 9-12 in both public and private schools that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation. This dynamic program helps high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, learn about their literary heritage, and compete for more than $50,000 in awards.

This year, no local contests are required. Any interested student may submit a video to the preliminary round by midnight on Feb. 28. Students should record two poems for the preliminary round and have a third poem selected and prepared in case they advance to the state finals. Judging will be done online. On March 8, state finalists will be notified and invited to a live virtual contest on March 15, where a state champion will be named.

Teachers can begin by introducing POL curriculum to students. Teachers can develop their own lesson plans, use plans provided on the POL website, or have students learn on their own using online content. The POL teacher's guide is downloadable from the POL website.

Find more information on the South Dakota Arts Council’s Poetry Out Loud webpage.

Teachers: apply to host an artist residency by March 1
The South Dakota Arts Council is now accepting grant applications for its Artists in Schools and Communities residency program for the 2021-22 school year (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022). This program provides matching grants to schools and other nonprofit organizations for artists in residence.

Applications must be received through the AISC online grant form available on the SDAC's Artists in Schools and Communities webpage. The application deadline is March 1.

Through the AISC program, students – adults and children alike – will learn about fine arts in a relevant, hands-on environment.

Grantees choose their artist from a roster of professional teaching artists endorsed by the Arts Council. Disciplines include dance, literature, writing, music, theater, visual arts, and traditional arts. A theater residency could include classroom workshops or a full-length production featuring local students at the end of the week. In the visual arts, choose from pottery, painting, drawing, sculpting, murals, comic book making, and more. There are traditional arts residency opportunities in American Indian hoop dancing and rodeo clowning. To view the extensive list of roster artists and read about the residencies offered, visit www.artscouncil.sd.gov/aisc/meetartist.aspx.

Please review program guidelines before applying, and reach out to Rebecca Cruse with any questions.