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 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.
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“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]
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