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Illinois art contest invites
students to let their imaginations run wild
[October 11, 2025]
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The annual
student art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education invites
young artists to let their imaginations soar on the theme “America
250 - Reflections through Art.”
The United States is turning 250! As we mark this historic
milestone, we invite young artists to reflect on what America 250
means to them — not just in history books, but in their own lives,
communities and imaginations. What emotions or ideas come to mind?
What stories do you want to tell? This is your chance to be bold,
thoughtful and honest. Use art to explore the past, understand the
present and dream about the future.
The deadline to submit entries is Dec. 19. The contest is open to
Illinois students from kindergarten through high school. The contest
is open to any two-dimensional artwork that measures no larger than
11”x14”.
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 May 8, and
the artwork of the four winners will be used on a poster sent to
schools to celebrate Arts Education Week, March 9-13, 2026. The
winner will also be recognized at an ISBE Board meeting, and a
framed copy will hang in the Boardroom.
“America means something a little different to each person, so we’re
excited to see students express what this nation and its 250th
birthday mean to them,” 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.”
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Two-dimensional
submissions may be up to 11 inches by 14 inches. They cannot
feature copyrighted characters such as Batman. More details are
available at
bit.ly/APLM-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.
“Every student has a story, and art gives them a voice,” said
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “This
contest invites young artists across Illinois to express how
they see our country – its past, its present, and its
possibilities for the future. I’m excited to see the creativity
and perspective they bring to this milestone celebration.”
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