Rahele Megosha from South Dakota Named 2021 Poetry Out Loud National Champion

Rahele Megosha reciting
Congratulations to Rahele Megosha from South Dakota, who was named the 2021 Poetry Out Loud National Champion during the May 27 national finals. Kendall Grimes from Tennessee, was announced as the second-place winner, and Soojin Park from Alabama, came in third-place.

On George Floyd—A Year Later

A painting of George Floyd on a building side with flowers in front of it.

George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Chad Davis, Flickr Creative Commons

Since the killing of George Floyd that took place on this date one year ago, there has been a chorus of artists and creators raising up issues of equity, access, and systemic racism. Through these stories we can consider, as individuals and a nation, the impact of these recent tragedies, and how to grieve, heal, and move forward.

NEA Supports 19 Rural Communities Through Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design

brightly colored water tower next to desert villa

As part of Clean Sweep Frederiksted, an economic development and revitalization non-profit focused on the town’s historic district, community members participated in creating a public art trail. Photo courtesy of Clean Sweep Frederiksted.

In its ongoing support of rural America, the National Endowment for the Arts announces the four workshop communities and 15 communities taking part in the peer learning cohort for this year Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design™.

National Endowment for Arts Announces Second Round of Grants for FY 2021

Students stand around a table with art work while a teacher holds up another piece of art work for them to see

Studio in a School Association is recommended for an FY 2021 Grants for Arts Projects award to create a new visual arts instruction model framed in culturally relevant and multicultural approaches. In this photo, Studio NYC Artist Instructor Leigh Ruple leads a class of second grade students through a reflection on the day’s painting lesson. Photo by Mindy Best
 

For its second major grant announcement of fiscal year 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts announces more than $88 million in recommended grants to organizations in all 50 states and jurisdictions.

Blue Star Museums Nationwide Offer Free Admission to Military Families

Men, women, and children standing together in an outdoor garden

Military families at a past Blue Star Museums event at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo by Debra Heuskin

Watch the 2021 Poetry Out Loud National Finals on May 27, 2021

Photos of nine students in a grid with text: Who will be the 2021 Poetry Out Loud National Champion?
Out of 55 state and jurisdictional champions who competed in the national semifinals, nine high school students are advancing to the Poetry Out Loud national finals, which will be webcast on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. ET at arts.gov/poetry-out-loud.

First Phase of American Rescue Plan Funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Announced

Graphic showing buildings and groups of people connected by white lines
The National Endowment for the Arts announces the first awards from the American Rescue Plan to state, jurisdictional, and regional arts organizations to support their funding programs.

2021 Poetry Ourselves Winners Announced

A young woman in a black sweater stands against a wooden wall.

Azhane Pollard, Virginia's Poetry Out Loud champion, recites her original poem “Generations,” winner of the 2021 Poetry Ourselves competition for spoken poetry.

The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to share the 2021 winners of the Poetry Ourselves competition, a second competition open to the Poetry Out Loud state and jurisdictional champions to highlight their original poetry.

New Report Examines the Role of Arts and Culture in Fostering Social Cohesion and Community Well-Being

Cover image for WE-making report with geometric shapes and report name
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Kresge Foundation announce new report on arts and culture, social cohesion, and community well-being.

Poetry Out Loud National Finals Broadcast May 2 and 27, 2021 at Arts.gov

Invitation with three photos of students reciting and text: Who will be the next Poetry Out Loud National Champion?
This May, 55 finalists—one from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa—will advance to compete in the Poetry Out Loud national finals, which will be available through a webcast at arts.gov/poetry-out-loud.
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