Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Location: Chambers Theatre at Inspired Minds Art Center

Time: Check-in: 7:00 PM | Slam Begins: 7:30 PM

Please complete the Registration Form for the 2026 Buda Arts Festival Poetry Slam.

• Only 12 poets will be selected to perform.

• Registration includes a non-refundable $10 entry fee (collected upon submission).

• Poets must be 18 years or older.

• All performances must follow slam rules and respect community standards.

Cash Prizes:

• 1st Place: $200

• 2nd Place: $100

• 3rd Place: $50

Poetry Slam Competition Rules:

• You must perform your own original work.

• Check-in is required by 7:00 PM. If you are not checked in by then, your slot may be given to an alternate.

• You must show respect and support for fellow poets, competitors, and audience members at all times.

• Performance order will be determined by drawing numbers 1–12 before the competition begins.

• You must be ready to perform when your name is called. Failure to appear will result in disqualification.

• Time Limit: 3 minutes per poem, with a 10-second grace period. After 3:10, 0.5 points will be deducted for each additional 10 seconds.

• No props, musical accompaniment, costumes, animals, or other people are allowed on stage. (Singing a cappella is permitted.)

• There will be no fewer than 3 and no more than 12 poets competing.

• The competition will have 3 to 5 judges. If there are 5 judges, the highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the three middle scores are added to determine your score for the round.

• In the event of a tie within a round, the poet who performed earlier in the previous round will perform later in the next round.

• Cumulative scores may be used as tiebreakers in rounds 2 and 3. Each round begins as a clean slate for ranking purposes.

• Judges must be treated with respect. Do not attempt to charm, influence, or address them directly during your performance.