Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition
Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition
About the Annual Kent County Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition
The Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition was started in 1968 by poet James Allen at the urging of John Hunting, the founder of the Dyer-Ives Foundation, to encourage excellence in writing and to provide recognition for local work of high quality. The annual contest is open to poets ages 5 through adult who reside in or attend school in Kent County.
Submissions are accepted every February, and winners are selected in the spring. Winners selected in different categories have their poems published in Voices, receive a cash award, and participate in the annual Awards Reading Ceremony during Festival of the Arts in June.
Submissions accepted February 1 - 28, 2025.
2025 Judge
Christine Stephens-Krieger, Grand Rapids Poet Laureate
The Poet Laureate is an ambassador of poetry for the City of Grand Rapids, creating programs and projects to foster the writing and reading of poetry by the public. Learn more.
Divisions and Awards
Elementary School
Grades K – 2
1st Place: $25 & publication
2nd Place: $10 & publication
Grades 3 – 4
1st Place: $25 & publication
2nd Place: $10 & publication
Middle School
Grades 5 – 6
1st Place: $50 & publication
2nd Place: $20 & publication
Grades 7 – 8
1st Place: $50 & publication
2nd Place: $20 & publication
High School
Grades 9 – 10
1st Place: $75 & publication
2nd Place: $25 & publication
Grades 11 – 12
1st Place: $100 & publication
2nd Place: $50 & publication
Undergraduate
1st Place: $100 & publication
2nd Place: $75 & publication
3rd Place: $50 & publication
Adult
1st Place: $150 & publication
2nd Place: $125 & publication
3rd Place: $100 & publication
Voices Publication
Voices is published annually to highlight the winners of the Dyer-Ives Poetry Competition.
Questions
If you have questions about the competition, email us or call 616.988.5400.
Teacher Resources
Sponsors
Special thanks to the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation — Dyer-Ives Foundation Poetry Fund for their support of this program.
