Each year in April, we celebrate National Poetry Month! Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month is a special occasion that celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world. This year, the Brown County Historical Society, the Grand Center for Arts & Culture, and the New Ulm Public Library are once again partnering to bring awareness to the power of words to express, share, connect, and make us think. Our theme this year is "Poetry Inspires"! Please read through the guidelines below including important dates and submission guidelines before viewing the prompts.
This year’s opportunities allow the participant to engage with poetry in one of two ways:
First, poetry is often inspired by art, music, nature, etc. We have selected 5 works of art to be viewed as inspiration. The writer is asked to look at the artwork, choose one, and write a poem based on the image.
Second, poetry can inspire art. We have selected 5 poems to be viewed as inspiration for art. The artist is asked to read the poems, choose one, and create a work of art inspired by the poem.
All submissions will be sent to our Gmail: newulmpoetrymonth@gmail.com with the subject line: "National Poetry Month submission" to allow for digitial display. Print submissions may be turned in at The Grand, the Brown County Historical Society, or the New Ulm Public Library for scanning.
The poems and artwork will be displayed digitally as a document or image file, and then the work will be posted on Facebook and Instagram where it will remain visible through the month of April.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newulmpoetrymonth/
Instagram: @newulmpoetrymonth
The poems and artwork will be displayed digitally as a document or image file, and then the work will be posted on Facebook and Instagram where it will remain visible through the month of April.
Those interested in participating must meet the following guidelines:
- Participants must be 6th grade and older.
- Participants will either submit a poem that was inspired by art or art that was inspired by a poem.
- Participants may submit only one entry (either a poem or a piece of art).
- Artwork will be limited to 2-dimensional work.
- Poems and artwork will be submitted digitally – we will use Facebook and Instagram as social media platforms.
- Deadline for submission is Friday, March 31 by 12 noon.
If you have any questions, please contact The Grand at 507-359-9222 or email: tamara.furth@thegrandnewulm.org
Additional events relating to National Poetry Month will be posted on our social media sites. Thank you for your interest and participation in this special month of poetry!