THE History Trust of South Australia has launched its inaugural online poetry challenge, giving budding young poets a chance to express themselves and showcase their work.
Year 4 to 11 students can participate in the online competition with entries to be themed around change and inspiration drawn from History Trust, museum and gallery collections across the state.
Originally part of the South Australia History Festival – which has been postponed due to COVID-19 – the Poetry Takeover Challenge aims to engage youth with history and museum collections in a new and creative manner.
“In times of change and uncertainty, poetry offers a unique outlet to express complex emotions, to connect, to sooth the soul or simply have fun playing with words,” History Festival manager Karen Blackwood said.
“The Poetry Takeover Challenge provides a platform for young people to take some of the fascinating items held in the collections of South Australia’s cultural institutions and to interpret them through fresh eyes.
“We’re excited to see how our state’s young poets respond to the challenge.”
The History Trust will publish entries in an online gallery which will be shared across the History Trust’s social media.
Every young poet who submits an original poem will have a chance to win one of six $50 Dymocks vouchers, chosen by a panel of peers.
Community choice prizes will also be decided through an online vote.
Visit poetrytakeover.com.au for more information.
Entries close May 31 at 5pm.
The Poetry Takeover Challenge was originally planned as part of the South Australia’s History Festival education program.
