Illinois art contest invites students to let their imaginations run wild

Deadline is Jan. 10 to enter ‘A Touch of Art!’ contest
 

[November 14, 2024]  SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The annual student art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education is expanding to welcome new types of entries, this time on the theme “A Touch of Art!”

“Touch” can mean many things: physical sensation, emotional connection, even a little bit of something. Illinois students can explore any of those meanings or something completely different – and this year they have the option of submitting three-dimensional art such as sculpture and collage.

The deadline to submit “A Touch of Art!” entries is Jan. 10. The contest is open to Illinois students from kindergarten through high school. The contest has always been open to drawings and paintings, but three-dimensional art is now welcome, too.

The contest is divided into four groups: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Each grade group will have a winner and two runners-up. The winners will be announced March 10 to commemorate Arts Education Week.

All winners and runners-up will have their work displayed by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum through Aug. 15, and the artwork chosen as “best of show” will be used on a poster sent to schools to celebrate Arts Education Week, March 10-14, 2025. The winner will also be recognized at an ISBE Board meeting, and a framed copy will hang in the Board office.

“Art opens a world of endless creativity and innovation, so we’re thrilled to offer new ways for young artists to participate in this contest,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “Year after year, the entries in this contest leave us smiling at the talent Illinois children display. We hope students will seize this opportunity to let their imaginations run wild and impress us in brand new ways.”

Two-dimensional submissions may be up to 14 inches by 11 inches. Three-dimensional submissions must not exceed 12 x 12 x 12 inches. They cannot feature copyrighted characters such as Batman. More details are available at bit.ly/ALPLM-ArtContest. Entries do not have to be submitted via schools; youth groups, home-educated children or anyone else can participate. All that is required is that the artist is a student at any public, private, alternative, or home school in Illinois.

“Art challenges students to explore and experience the world in new ways,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “We are proud to sponsor this year’s student art contest with the theme 'A Touch of Art,' highlighting the essential role of the arts in a well-rounded education. I’m eager to see the imaginative ways our young artists showcase the incredible talent we have in Illinois. I encourage all of our arts educators to share this opportunity with their students."

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship to immerse visitors in Lincoln’s life and times. The library holds an unparalleled collection of Lincoln books, documents, photographs, artifacts and art, as well as some 12 million items pertaining to all aspects of Illinois history.

For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can follow the ALPLM on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The mission of the Illinois State Board of Education is to provide leadership and resources to achieve excellence across all Illinois districts by engaging legislators, school administrators, teachers, students, parents, families and other stakeholders in formulating and advocating for policies that enhance education, empower districts and ensure equitable outcomes for all students. Its vision of Illinois is a state of whole, healthy children nested in whole, healthy systems supporting communities wherein all people are socially and economically secure.
 

[Christopher Wills (he/him/his)
Director of Communications
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]