New York Knicks Poetry Slam Open Auditions and College Fair

The New York Knicks held their annual Poetry Slam open auditions and college fair last week at Metropolitan Pavilion in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Like last year, the event drew hundreds of students from all parts of New York City, giving them an opportunity to compete for college grants and prizes totaling more than $650,000.

The Knicks Poetry Slam program was created in 2003 to reach high school students 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 youth to use their poetic skills and talents to pursue higher education. The program serves over 30,000 students annually through school site visits, the open audition, college fair, workshops and poetry slams.

For more info about the Poetry Slam, visit the official Knicks Poetry Slam website. Photos ©Madison Square Garden, L.P.

Doors open at 10am:

A crowded college fair:

A student auditions:

Kaplan SAT workshop:

Live performances:

Spontaneous dance competition!