2024 State of the Word
December 14 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm CST
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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, Memorial Foundation, Nashville Public Library, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, and the Metro Human Relations Commission. State of the Word is sponsored by Tennessee State University’s Department of Languages, Literature, and Philosophy.
State of the Word is being held at Belmont University’s McAfee Hall (2108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212) on December 14 at 7:00pm. Guests may park in the Curb Garage or South Garage. Handicap parking is located in front of the Sport Science Center.