The L.O.U.D. (Living Our Ultimate Dreams) Poetry Festival is an all day youth festival where teams from across NJ come together to compete and slam, showcase their poems, partake in workshops, as well as win scholarship money. Open to poets aged 13-19, The L.O.U.D Festival centers healing and joy while celebrating the power of storytelling through poetry.
The L.O.U.D. festival recognizes the importance of validating the next generation’s perspectives by bringing their
experiences to the forefront and centering their stories. This one day festival creates a supportive environment where young poets can connect with like-minded peers to build networks of care that extend beyond their immediate communities.
Why should your school or community team participate?
LOUD is more than just a poetry competition; it's a celebration of youth culture, creativity, and the power of words. By joining this movement, schools and students alike contribute to a growing community of young artists, fostering a new generation of powerful voices ready to shape our future.
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Schools and community organizations are encouraged to embrace this opportunity and join our growing artist family to celebrate National Poetry Month. Alongside competing in the slam, youth poets will get a chance to earn scholarship money and attend writing workshops led by world renowned poets. Participation in the LOUD Festival opens doors to further educational and artistic pursuits
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Want to register your school or community team for the L.O.U.D Festival 2025?
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When is the festival usually held?The L.O.U.D Festival is held every year in April for National Poetry Month
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What is the age requirement for youth to participate in the slam competition?Youth must be 13-19 to participate in the slam competition and all open mics.
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Can younger or older youth who do not meet the age requirement for the competition still attend the festival?Yes, youth who do not meet the age requirement can attend the festival and be part of the audience. We do not limit our teen poets creative expression, so some of the poems may include some heavy topics that may or may not be appropriate for youth younger than 13. We support adults making the best decision for their younger children to attend or not.
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How many youth can I have on a poetry team?Each team can have a minimum of 4 poets and a maximum of 6 poets that can compete on a team. All team members must perform in an individual or group piece in the prelim round. Any additional youth ages 13-19 can be registered as your poetry crew. Additional youth can participate in writing workshops, open mics, and poetry games. Additional youth that are registered will also receive lunch for the day.
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When is the deadline for registering a team?The deadline for registering a team and any additional youth is April 5th, 2025.
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What is the registration fee, and what does it cover?The registration fee is $250 for a team covering up to 6 youth poets and one coach. Each additional youth is $30 to register for the festival as well as any additional poetry coaches. The registration fee includes all access to festival events, a festival t-shirt, light breakfast, and a catered lunch from local Newark restaurants.