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Rain Poetry Toolkit & Resources
Bring the magic of Rain Poetry to your community!
This page is your go-to hub for tools, templates, and inspiration to create your own Rain Poetry project - from planning and outreach to installation and celebration.
What is Rain Poetry?
Rain Poetry is a special project of PA Humanities rooted in decades of learning from our youth-focused and community-centered work. It invites young people to reflect on the world around them and craft original poems guided by local teaching artists. These poems are then transformed into temporary public art installations using a rain-activated solution, bringing poetry to life like magic. Rain Poetry creates opportunities for youth to share their creativity with family, friends, and neighbors. Learn more about the project here.
Bringing Rain Poetry to Your Community is Easy as 1-2-3-4!
Step One: Identify Community Partners
Step One
Build a team of community partners who share your vision of engaging youth using the humanities! Schools, libraries, arts organizations, and local businesses can all play a key role in bringing your project to life. Collaboration is a must for Rain Poetry!
Step Two: Develop Workshops
Step Two
Work with artists, poets and teachers to design workshops that invite participants to explore self-expression through poetry. Identify a project theme and build on sample designs from past sites that incorporate humanities activities like reflection, critical thinking and creative writing to spark ideas!
Step Three: Install Poems in Community Spaces
Step Three
Bring poet’s words to life by installing the chosen poems in public spaces using rain-activated spray. Select high-traffic, meaningful locations - sidewalks, parks, schoolyards - where the poetry will surprise and delight when revealed. This step turns everyday places into moments of reflection, connection, and joy.
Step Four: Plan Community Reveal Celebration
Step Four
Celebrate your Rain Poetry project with a public reveal event! Invite youth, poets, partners, and neighbors to come together for a special moment when the poems are unveiled. Include poetry readings, music, and activities to make it a festive occasion that honors the voices and stories behind the poetry.
Get Our Rain Poetry Toolkit
Ready to explore bringing Rain Poetry to your community? Preview our Rain Poetry Toolkit below.
Download Full Toolkit
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Get on the Rain Poetry Map!
Email us at programs@pahumanities.org to get your project on the map.
Installation Videos
Watch these comprehensive tutorial videos from Rainworks on how to install water-activated solution.
Need project support?
PA Humanities offers in-depth coaching and advising for a fee, including help with partnership building, community outreach, workshop development, installation planning, and more. Email programs@pahumanities.org to connect with our staff and discuss options and fees.
For more information about Rain Poetry visit RainPoetry.org.
Thank you
This webpage and toolkit were made possible by the generous support of many individuals and the following funders.
Special thanks to our state Representatives and Senators for helping us spread Rain Poetry across the state!
