Calling all art-loving kids from kindergarten to senior year!
The Washington State Department of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its 2024 Youth Art Contest and is now accepting submissions. This year’s art theme is “ environmental justice.”
“Kids today don’t have to imagine the impacts of climate change – they are living with them every day. Which makes their voices that much more powerful,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in announcing the contest. “We need to listen to kids about climate change. This art contest is a wonderful opportunity for our Washington youth to learn more about the climate crisis and environmental justice, and find the inspiration to make positive change, I can’t wait to see what they create!”
Young artists are invited to use any medium for their submissions.
About the theme
The DNR contest stipulates that entries should depict environmental justice in one of the following topic areas:
Wildfire Resilience & Recovery:
- Pieces depicting ways to protect communities from wildfire risks
- Art reflecting ways to prevent unintentional human-caused wildfires
- How communities recover after a wildfire
- Smoke-related safety
Urban Canopy Cover & Tree Equity:
- Art reflecting the benefits of urban trees
- Art that reflects the differences in tree cover by neighborhood
Responsible Recreation:
- Art depicting the Ancestral Lands Movement
- Art about increasing access to the outdoors for all people
- Pieces reflecting low-impact recreation and stewardship
Age categories
Winners will be chosen from three age categories: grades K-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Two winners will be selected from each age group. The first-place winners will have their art on 2024 DNR outreach materials in addition to recognition on DNR’s website. The second-place winner in each age range will have the opportunity to invite a DNR expert to speak to their class.
Watch the video about the contest
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 20224 YOUTH ART CONTEST VIDEO
Deadline
Artwork must be submitted by 9 p.m. on April 12, 2024 at the following links:
- For artists grades K – 5, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/vvh92k
- For artists grades 6 – 8, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/nu5d53
- For artists grades 9 –12, submit your artwork here: https://woobox.com/bvfoej
Public voting
Want to get your friends and family in on thinking about environmental justice? Invite them them to cast their votes in DNR Youth Art Contest. Public voting begins at 10 a.m. on April 15 and ends at midnight on April 26. For more information, read the 2024 contest rules and visit DNR’s Youth Education Portal.
- Vote for grades K – 5 art: https://woobox.com/vvh92k
- Vote for grades 6 – 8 art: https://woobox.com/nu5d53
- Vote for grades 9 –12 art: https://woobox.com/bvfoej
Make it a family or classroom challenge
Thinking about environmental justice is critical in these times of tremendous environmental challenges and global warming. Why not sit down as a family and make art together as a way to encourage all your kids to ponder the theme and submit their art. Or, consider working with your child’s teacher to invite all the kids in your child’s classroom to participate in the DNR’s art contest.
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