Freedom Festival Art Contest
Opportunity includes Art, Essay, Speech, and Teacher Contests
Each year the Freedom Festival Art Contest gives rise to expressions of patriotism from students in K-12th grades throughout the nation. Students have an opportunity to share their talent through painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, or sculpture. Last year we awarded 18 students cash prizes totaling over $2000 (recipients were awarded between $10 and $500). The deadline is February 22. This year's theme focuses on the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights*. Students may choose to illustrate the purposes and applications of the First Amendment that may include its history, adoption, and recognition of significant individuals involved. Or they may focus on any concept or specific freedom included in the First Amendment such as the Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, Freedom to peacefully Assemble, and Freedom to Petition the Government. Students may also apply the First Amendment protections to current or historical situations and court cases.
Contest guidelines and a downloadable poster are available here: https://www.freedomfestival.org/event/art-contest/
My BeUTAHful Community Student Art Competition
Organized by Utah Transit Authority
UTA is proud to announce the first My BeUTAHful Community Student Art Competition. Through this competition we want to give young people in Utah the opportunity to self-express through public art, be a visible part of the public transportation system, bring art to riders and the communities that we serve, and to celebrate and represent Utah communities in our service. This year’s theme is “Meet Your Neighbor." Entries are encouraged to highlight the beauty and diversity of Utah’s communities and people. Entries will be accepted for a six-week period between February 1 - March 15, 2021. To submit your entry, please create a digital file of your work and upload below. If it works better, you can also send via snail mail or deliver in person to: Utah Transit Authority C/O Megan Waters 669 W. 200 S. Salt Lake City, UT 84101
2D artwork will be accepted as a part of the competition, including artwork made with: paint, pencils, colored pencils, markers, digital programs, pastel, ink
The artwork must have the theme “Meet Your Neighbor” displayed creatively. Artwork should reflect this theme, and can feature public transportation (though this not a requirement).
There are no specified dimensions for the artwork, but please be aware that UTA may have to digitally resize your file in order to put it in the designated spaces on the buses and trains.
Submissions of the following types will NOT be accepted: 3-D artwork (sculptures, textiles, etc.), literature or written work, music, film, dance choreography, or photography
Eligibility: Participants must be between the ages of 5-18, or in kindergarten – 12th grade. They must reside in the state of Utah. All artwork must be the artist’s own creation, without outside additions, including from teachers, parents, or other adults. (Parents, caregivers, and teachers can assist in the submission of the artwork.)
You can contact UTA with questions or comments at studentart@rideuta.com
Poetry Out Loud
Organized by Utah Division of Arts and Museums
Poetry Out Loud (POL) uses a pyramid structure that starts at the classroom level. Every school winner or individual student (if home-schooled or individually participating) must compete at a regional level competition. Regional competitions take place throughout February. Each region will advance one winner to the state final competition in March.
For details regarding Utah’s POL activities, email Jean Irwin at jirwin@utah.gov or call 801.236.7559.
For full details on the national poetry recitation competition, visit www.poetryoutloud.org.
Recitation and performance are major trends in poetry. There has been a recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of hip-hop music. Poetry Out Loud builds on that momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English and theater class.
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation releases preliminary findings about the efficacy of Poetry Out Loud for students. POL Evaluation Study findings: Patricia Moore Shaffer, PhD, Deputy Director of Research & Analysis at the NEA.
- Key Findings: Academic Engagement
- Key Findings: Social-Emotional Development
- Key Findings: Poetry Appreciation & Engagement
Utah Information Link: https://artsandmuseums.utah.gov/poetry-out-loud/
Utah State Senate Visual Arts Scholarship Competition
Organized by Utah Division of Arts and Museums:
The 2021 Utah State Senate Visual Arts Scholarship Competition is sponsored by Senate President Stuart Adams and the Utah State Senate in an effort to challenge Utah students to view the world artistically and express their creativity. The Utah Senate will reward outstanding students with scholarships to support their college and career goals. NEW for 2020, there is no specific theme. Students: You are encouraged to share a visual idea of an aspect of Utah that is meaningful and inspirational to you — the land, the people, a specific moment of history such as the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Utah, the environment, flora, fauna, social justice, building community, innovation, exploration, new Utahns/Americans, etc. The competition is administered by Utah Arts & Museums. Read the 2021 GUIDELINES carefully before submitting an entry.
Jean Tokuda Irwin
Arts Education Manager
801.236.7559