OutLoud is one of Australia’s first team poetry slam programs created especially for young people. Founded in 2010 by Australian Poetry in collaboration with Creative Director Emilie Zoey Baker, OutLoud has been amplifying youth voices for over 15 years.

The program has been presented at major cultural events and institutions including the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Whitsunday Writers Festival, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas. OutLoud also runs extensively in secondary schools across Australia and internationally, bringing live performance poetry into classrooms and communities.

Teachers can now sign up their students for the OutLoud Poetry Slam Competition or book a tailored program at their school. Options include workshops, presentations, residencies, and one off sessions. Whether you are working with a small group or an entire year level, across primary or secondary settings, OutLoud invites students to step into creativity, confidence, and powerful self expression through spoken word poetry.

Key dates for OutLoud 2026:

• Senior Heats: Monday 23 March 2026
Three teams may enter per school

• Junior Heats: Monday 30 March 2026
Three teams may enter per school

• OutLoud Finals: Tuesday 5 May 2026
Presented as part of the Melbourne Writers Festival