First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest
Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League uses this platform to create awareness of the First Amendment through the First Amendment Freedom Art & Essay Contest. Students are expected to participate by submitting a two-page essay or creating a work of art that addresses a topic related to the First Amendment.
The contest is limited to students from the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Participants must be in middle school or high school in the above eligible states.
The First Amendment Freedom Art & Essay Contest awards first place winner $5,000 and second place holder $1,000. The participants need to submit an essay or an art project to win this scholarship.
Scholarship Summary
The Anti-Defamation League uses this platform to create awareness of the First Amendment through the First Amendment Freedom Art & Essay Contest. Students are expected to participate by submitting a two-page essay or creating a work of art that addresses a topic related to the First Amendment.
The contest is limited to students from the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Participants must be in middle school or high school in the above eligible states.
The First Amendment Freedom Art & Essay Contest awards first place winner $5,000 and second place holder $1,000. The participants need to submit an essay or an art project to win this scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Middle School – High School Senior
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest
Study Details
Area of Study
Any
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Essay
- Special Project
First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest Timeline
September 10, 2023
Application Opening Date
Applications usually open on September 10.
December 31, 2022
Submission Deadline
The deadline for applications is around the end of the month at 11.59 PM CST.
March 1, 2024
Award Announcement
The award winners are announced at the beginning of the month.
How to ace the First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest
Submit your original work
Applicants must submit an original and unpublished essay. Applicants for both the essay and artwork must ensure that the work submitted is their sole and original work that has not appeared anywhere else.
Follow the essay guidelines
The contest has guidelines that need to be followed for your submission to be accepted into the contest. Follow the guidelines to the last word and do not omit any instruction given and provide all the relevant information required.
Use the right format
Submission for the essay has an outline format and method of submission for the document. The artwork also has a format that should be used to present the visual project, ensuring that you follow the format requirements for your entry to be well received.
Review your written explanation
Applicants in the art category should submit a 250-word explanation paragraph to accompany their project. The paragraph should explain what the artwork represents and include an explanation of the medium used. ensure that it is concise but also accurately outlines your idea.
How the First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest is Judged
Entries are judged based solely on the quality of the essay or the artwork. Winners are selected by each category of the entrant’s grade level. Both applicants for the two categories are judged based on originality, design, creativity, and interpretation/ understanding of the theme.
Why We Love the First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest
Teachers must submit an entry
Despite the contest requiring students to apply on their own, teachers may submit an entry on behalf of the student. The student, however, only needs to complete a separate entry form in this case.
Encourages creativity
The contest encourages the submission of other forms of creative writing. This includes poems and short stories, provided the writers address the prompt.
Supports art
The contest supports art and rewards all types of artists who submit entries that are within the guidelines. It accepts art submissions that come in the form of drawings, collages, print, and photography.
5 Facts About First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest
Only one entry per student
The First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest only accepts one entry per student each academic year.
Affiliates of ADL are not eligible
Employees, the board of directors, and their immediate families are not eligible for the contest.
Permission and release forms must be signed
Parents and guardians of the applicants need to sign permission and release forms before the winners receive their prizes.
Teachers are awarded
The teacher with the most entries is invited to the award ceremony and is awarded $1,000.
Submissions become the property of ADL
Submissions are not returned and all entries become the property of the Anti-Defamation League.