The Utah State Poetry Society, founded in 1950, is a non-profit organization with the mission to secure a wider public appreciation of the poetry arts and to promote excellence in the writing and reading of poetry.
The society includes seven chapters across the state of Utah and one online-only chapter. Chapter information and poetry news can be found at utahpoets.com. Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend chapter meetings and events. UTSPS-sponsored events include annual fee-based poetry workshops held in early March in Zion Park and in St. George. UTSPS also sponsors an annual poetry contest, typically with 35 categories, many of which are open to non-members. Every other year the UTSPS holds a manuscript competition. Winners in these contests are recognized at the UTSPS April Poetry Festival. Details on the upcoming Festival are available on the website.
The UTSPS also has a Facebook page and a blog site, the latter highlighting members and examples of their poetry. UTSPS is a member of the National Federation of State Poetry Societies, an association of poetry societies from thirty-one states. The NFSPS also holds an annual poetry contest, typically with 50 categories, as well as a manuscript contest and a "spoken and heard" performance contest. Those who have paid UTSPS membership dues by January 5th of each year automatically become NFSPS members and may enter all of the NFSPS contests for that year.
Poet Gallery