The Poetry Foundation

The Poetry foundation offers an array of free programs, events, and awards to amplify Poetry, celebrate poets, and foster spaces for all to create, experience, and share Poetry. We welcomed 1,711 attendees in-person and 630 virtual to 25 events in 2024. The library hosted 11 book clubs and 96 writing workshops, engaging 1,480 participants. Additionally, the foundation presented ecos: a Chicago latine Poetry festival, an outreach program that hosted 14 public events in four Chicago neighborhoods with 500 attendees and 30 poets and performers. The summer Poetry teachers institute hosted 115 educators over 4.5 days of invigorating seminars, readings, breakout sessions, and workshops led by 18 presenters. It CO-led Poetry out loud, a national Poetry recitation competition for high school students, engaging 160,739 students from 1,498 schools and organizations across every state and territory.