For over a decade, with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, the AZ Poetry Out Loud (POL) program has fostered generations of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry—recitation and performance—inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. Through Poetry Out Loud, students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Through a partnership with University of Arizona: Poetry Center, the Arts Commission (ACA) will focus on cultivating a model of program implementation to achieve the following outcomes: Sustainable and responsive support for educators, students, teaching artists, and other participants Expanding the reach of the Poetry Out Loud program through the collaboration of networks outside the ACA The Poetry Out Loud State Partnership will entail state level coordination of Poetry Out Loud adhering to programmatic rules and eligibility set by the NEA and Poetry Foundation. The purpose of this partnership is to build a more feasible structure for responsive program implementation throughout Arizona. As the Poetry Out Loud state partner, University of Arizona: Poetry Center will provide meaningful stewardship of the program within the state of Arizona. In addition, the Poetry Center will have the ability to change, amend, and shift the program as needed to ensure beneficial experiences with Poetry Out Loud at all levels of participation.