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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Knicks Poetry Slam was created in 2003 to reach today's high school youth by using the popularity of hip-hop and poetry as a vehicle to motivate and inspire expression through the written and spoken word. With the growth of the program, the Knicks and program partner Urban Word NYC have provided greater opportunities for high school students to use their poetic skills and talents to pursue higher education. The program serves over 10,000 students annually through school site visits, a Poetry Open Audition, a College Fair, Workshops and Poetry Slams.
The Knicks Poetry Slam Program is broken up into two contests, Spoken Word and Written. Participants have the option of performing poetry live, competing online through www.KnicksPoetrySlam.com or by submitting a portfolio of their original work. The 2009-2010 Program will provide winners with more than $350,000 in college grants and prizes.
The Knicks Poetry Slam Program is broken up into two contests, Spoken Word and Written. Participants have the option of performing poetry live, competing online through www.KnicksPoetrySlam.com or by submitting a portfolio of their original work. The 2009-2010 Program will provide winners with more than $350,000 in college grants and prizes.
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There are two ways to win. You must participate in the spoken word or written competiton and attend the Open Audition and College Fair. You may enter both competions. Please check below for more information on both competitions.
How to Register for Spoken Word Competition
(YOU MUST ATTEND THE OPEN AUDITIONS & COLLEGE FAIR)
Spoken Word Competition — A Poetry Slam competition where students progress through an Open Audition, Poetry Workshops, Preliminary Slams, Semi-final Slams, all to compete at the Knicks Poetry Slam Finals at the New Amsterdam Theatre on Broadway.Process and Eligibility:
- Students can NOT turn 20 before the Final Show on February 18, 2010 and students MUST be 13 years of age prior to the start of the program. Remember if you are a high school senior you can also compete in the Written Word Contest.
- Register by clicking here and fill out the required waiver needed to participate.
- Show up November 7th, 2009 at 10:00 A.M. to the Open Audition & College Fair held at Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom with your waiver in hand.
- Perform your one-minute poem in front of three judges.
- If you are one of the top 150 contestants chosen, you will be notified and will then advance to the free poetry workshop sessions.
- Poetry Workshop sessions are 5 exclusive workshop sessions set up so you can master your skills. They are held by the Knicks and Urban Word NYC and are at locations throughout the NYC area. (For more information and site locations go to Urban Word NYC).
- Preliminary Slams will be held at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on dates January 9, 2010 (3-6pm), January 10, 2010 (3-6pm), January 11, 2010 (6-9pm).
- If you make it past the Preliminary Slams, you will be notified and will then move on to the Semi-finals also at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on January 16, 2010 (3-6pm), January 17, 2010 (3-6pm) and January 18, 2010 (6-9pm). Each contestant will perform a 3-minute poem and have the chance to advance to the Finals.
- FINALS - The top 10 students from the 3 semi-final slams will advance to the Finals on February 18, 2010 at the New Amsterdam Theatre to compete for the College grants and prizes.
How to Register for the Written Competition
(YOU MUST ATTEND THE OPEN AUDITIONS & COLLEGE FAIR)
Written Competition — students must submit a portfolio of original work including: an essay "The Reason I Write", poetry samples, community service and a resume. The portfolio will be reviewed by a panel of judges to determine the winners.Prizes — 2 full four year tuition scholarships to the University of Wisconsin and 1 full four year tuition scholarship to Mercy College will be awarded to three students.
Registration Process and Eligibility:
- You must be a HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR entering college in fall 2010 as a fulltime student.
- Register on line for the contest by clicking here and fill out the required waiver.
- Attend the Knicks Open Audition & College Fair held at Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom on November 7, 2009 from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M. to receive further information on how to participate in the contest.
- Students MUST be accepted into the University of Wisconsin and/or Mercy College to be eligible to participate in the Knicks Written Competition (workshops for college application process are available, see below for details)
- Students MUST submit the Knicks Written Competition portfolio of work by January 22, 2010 (workshops for preparation of portfolios are available, see below for details).
The Knicks and Urban Word will provide workshops to help students with:
- The college application process Workshop — Nov. 14 & Nov. 21
- The Knicks Written Competition Portfolio Workshop – Dates TBD
Knicks Written Competition Portfolio Workshop — 2 hour session preparing the "Why I Write Essay", resumes, poetry, etc.
The New York Knicks College Fair
(YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ENTER A COMPETITION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLLEGE FAIR)
The New York Knicks College Fair will be held on November 7, 2009 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M in the Hammerstein Ballroom in the Manhattan Center.
This College Fair is one of the most unique annual college fairs around the tri-state area. High school students are encouraged to come out and meet with over 60 colleges and universities from around the country. While exploring the fair, you will be able to watch master poets and dance groups perform, listen to music and live bands, and interact with over 2,000 students. In addtion to all of these festivities, there are two dynamic Poetry competitions going on at the same time.
College application workshops will be conducted throughout the day and financial aid advisors will be on hand to answer any questions.
Special guests, including Knicks Alumni, will make peridodic appearances throughout the day and sign autographs.
This College Fair is one of the most unique annual college fairs around the tri-state area. High school students are encouraged to come out and meet with over 60 colleges and universities from around the country. While exploring the fair, you will be able to watch master poets and dance groups perform, listen to music and live bands, and interact with over 2,000 students. In addtion to all of these festivities, there are two dynamic Poetry competitions going on at the same time.
College application workshops will be conducted throughout the day and financial aid advisors will be on hand to answer any questions.
Special guests, including Knicks Alumni, will make peridodic appearances throughout the day and sign autographs.
Spoken Word Prizes
- 1st place - $10,000 laptop and printer
- 2nd place - $7,500 laptop and printer
- 3rd place - $5,000 laptop and printer
- 4th — 10th - $1,000
- 2 full scholarships (4 years) to the University of Wisconsin
- 1 full tuition scholarship (4 year) to Mercy College
Click here to download Waiver (PDF format, Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
| November 7, 2009 | Open Auditions and College Fair |
| November 21, 2009 | Participants will be notified no later than this date |
| November 7- December 31, 2009 | Poetry Rehearsals and Improvement Workshops |
| January 2010 | Preliminary Slams |
| February 18, 2010 | Finals |
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