2021 State of the Word

This regional poetry showcase has become a springboard for young leaders who wish to speak through silence, share thoughts with their community, or champion a new vision for themselves and the world. You will never encounter energy like the spirit of the performers and audience of the State of the Word.

A panel of judges will also select the eighth Nashville Youth Poet Laureate, a program which aims to identify young writers and leaders who are committed to civic and community engagement, diversity and inclusion, and youth voice across Nashville.

Performers emerge from Southern Word’s programs sponsored by the Metro Arts: Nashville Office of Arts + Culture, Tennessee Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Public Schools, LEAD Public Schools, Memorial Foundation, Humanities Tennessee, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Dan and Margaret Maddox Charitable Fund, Metro Human Relations Commission, Academy of American Poets, and the Nashville Office of the Mayor.