Poetry Slam
The Arts Unit’s Poetry Slam is a competition for individual students in Years 7 to 11 attending government secondary schools.
Applications for SpecFest Poetry Slam 2024 have now closed.
The Arts Unit’s Poetry Slam is a competition for individual students in Years 7 to 11 attending government secondary schools.
All work must be original and include the following stimulus in a significant manner within the poem.
All 4 One
- All performers must be students currently enrolled at a NSW public school in Years 7 to 11.
- Round 1 will be held via video submission.
- Finalists will then be invited to attend either an in-person or online live regional final before 6 finalists are chosen to perform at SpecFest in November where a state champion will be announced.
2024 dates
Submissions for this year's Poetry Slam are now closed. For late entries or any issues submitting your entry, please contact Justine Clarke (justine.clarke@det.nsw.edu.au).
- Results will be available on The Arts Unit website at the end of Week 1 Term 4.
- All entrants will receive written feedback on their submissions.
- Successful students will be invited to an online meeting to discuss their work in preparation for the live regional finals.
The winner will be announced at the conclusion of the state final event at SpecFest on Friday 29 November.
Enquiries
How to apply
- Complete the SpecFest Poetry Slam – entry form 2024 as soon as possible.
- Prepare video submission.
- Upload video by Friday 27 September. (Instructions will be sent after the submission is received.)
- Have each student complete and return a SpecFest Poetry Slam Authority to Film and Record form.
Round 1 – Video submission
Round 1 is judged on video submission.
- Slam poets are required to submit a recorded version of their original poem.
- The performance should be at least 3 minutes in length but not exceed 4 minutes.
- The poem should be delivered by an individual student.
- The video should be filmed as one continuous live take from a single static camera with no camera movement (including zoom, pan or tilt) and live audio from the room taken into the camera.
- A video taken with a smartphone or tablet using the sound from the device's internal microphone is sufficient.
- The quality of video and audio recordings will not be considered part of the judging criteria.
Judging criteria
In Round 1, submissions will be judged on:
- Interpretation and development of the chosen stimulus
- Technical proficiency
- Structural coherence
- Clarity of delivery and performance skills.
12 regional finalists will be chosen to deliver a live performance either in person or online.
6 state finalists will then proceed to the in-person final at SpecFest, where they will be judged on the same criteria as above, in addition to their ability to engage an audience in the Poetry Slam space at SpecFest.
Entry form
The 2024 Poetry Slam is proudly supported by ACCO Brands Australia.
All Arts Units programs are inclusive. If support is required to participate in Poetry Slam, please email Justine.clarke@det.nsw.edu.au so we can assist.
