The IPA Poetry Slam

The Iowa Poetry Association recognizes spoken word poetry continuing to establish itself as a powerful art form, and we are happy to provide spoken word opportunities for Iowa poets across the state.

Spoken word poetry is a real-time poetic conversation between a poet and audience. It is a powerful storytelling method that connects us in a human way. In the same way that page poets submit work to contests, spoken word poets have a poetry slam. Simply put, a poetry slam is competitive spoken word poetry.

What is the IPA Poetry Slam?

Each year, IPA will host a series of poetry slams across the state in the search for our Iowa champion. The winner of the IPA Poetry Slam will receive a sponsored spot to compete in the annual BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam to be held in partnership with the NFSPS National Convention.

The winner of our slam will be named the 2025 Iowa Poetry Slam Champion, receive a year's membership to IPA, have their winning poem published in Lyrical Iowa, and earn an IPA-sponsored spot in the 2025 BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam. This year's national slam will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 23-27, 2025.

The second- and third-place poets from finals will have the opportunity to publish one of their poems in Lyrical Iowa.

Read the Official IPA Poetry Slam Rules and Structure document for full details.

How to Enter the IPA Poetry Slam

Find a qualifying slam near you and save the date! Register to compete ahead of your qualifier by filling out this Google Form

IPA 2025 Poetry Slam Schedule

• Feb 6: 7-9 p.m., CRANDIC Qualifier at Porch Light Literary Arts Center (1019 E Washington St, Iowa City, IA)
• Feb 10: 6-8 p.m., DSM Qualifier, The Slow Down Coffee Co., Des Moines, IA
• Feb 11: 7-9 p.m., Cedar Falls Qualifier at Interp Theater in Lang Hall (2401 Wisconsin St, Cedar Falls, IA)
• Feb 12: 7-9 p.m., Ames Qualifier at Ames Writers Collective (612 5th St, Ames, IA)
• April 5: 7-9 p.m., IPA Poetry Slam FINALS at Poetry Palooza, Viking Theater, Grand View University (2811 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA)

FINALS cash prizes: $175 donated by the Society of Great River Poets

• 1st Place: $100
• 2nd Place: $50
• 3rd Place: $25

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelsey Bigelow at kelsey@kelkaybpoetry.com or ipa@iowapoetry.com

Past Winners & Finalists

Congratulations to our past finalists and champions! You all represented Iowa incredibly well, and we are honored to have heard your poetry on stages across the state.

• 2024 Top 12: Sabur "C?ue" Muhammad (1st), Aminah Nalani (2nd), Willette Ansong (3rd), Arsema Berhane, Siri Boateng, Barb Edler, Jaleesa Epps, Abby Jacobson, Julie Matta, Alta Medea, Tony Miller, Dylan Shilling, Esther Windt
• 2023 Top 12: Samm Yu (1st), Hannah/Charlie Hall (2nd), Yabsira Tekle (3rd), Barb Edler, Josh Borgmann, Prince Harrison Jr., Summer Awad, Aanika Pfister, Aminah Nalani, Tameliyah "Saaliyah" Singleton, Miguel Ramirez, Megan Sennikof

2024 Finalists

2023 Finalists

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