POETS LAUREATE WORLDWIDE TO GATHER IN INDIANA FOR BIENNIAL EVENT   

The National Gathering of Poets Laureate will be held in Indianapolis 
this June 22-28. The theme of the Gathering is "Sporting Words" as the 
participants will use poetry to celebrate Indiana's rich history and 
current culture in athletics. The Indiana Arts Commission is collaborating 
with various organizations to host the event which will feature many 
U.S. and international Poets Laureate.    

From the Eiteljorg Museum exhibit on the Native American invention of 
La Crosse to the National Sports Art Museum on the IUPUI campus, Poets 
Laureate from around the country and world will come together and put a 
voice to their experience. Participants will attend youth poetry 
clinics and sporting activities across the state, and then convene in 
Indianapolis to observe, participate, write and recite poetry at 
sports-related activities.   

As an element of the gathering, local poets will lead sports/poetry 
clinics for youth this spring. Students will write poetry in advance, then 
recite their creations in various locations around Indiana for our Poet 
Laureate guests. The recitations will be distributed to the 
participants on CD.   

"Sporting Words" will be the third biennial Poets Laureate event.  In 
previous years, poets have gathered in New Hampshire and North Dakota. 
Currently, 39 states have a Poet Laureate.     

For more information about "Sporting Words, a Gathering of Poets 
Laureate," including a complete listing of the week's activities and 
registration forms for public events, visit 
www.in.gov/arts/poet/sportingwords/index.html. The Indiana Arts Commission funds the Poet Laureate 
education efforts through an annual stipend, administers special programs, and 
maintains the website.