60th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act Art Contest (Visual, Performing, Literary, and Media Arts)

Contest Invitation:

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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is inviting K-12 students across the country to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the landmark Civil Rights Act through original art projects. We encourage submissions in all mediums, including drawings, paintings, photos, dance, songs, videos, poetry, essays, etc. The contest is open to all students grades K-12 who are residents of the United States.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against or harass someone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), or national origin in employment. The law also makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against a person because the person complained about discrimination or harassment. 

Elementary School Prompt (K-5): What does it mean for everyone to have an equal chance?

Middle School Prompts (6-8): Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, employers frequently segregated their workplaces by and hired based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. Option 1: How did the Civil Rights Movement change workplaces? Option 2: What should workplaces be like today? 

High School Prompts (9-12): Option 1: Reflect on the ideals, values, and/or rights embodied in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Option 2: What is a lasting legacy of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s? 

Submission Guidelines:

• Format: Submit all entries electronically. If the original format is not electronic, please submit an electronic copy. For instance, for a drawing, painting, mural, or sculpture, please submit clear photographs or scanned images of the art. For a performance, please make a video or audio recording. Please follow the instructions on the online submission form. (Note: you will need to provide a link to any audio or video file (hosted on any viewing/sharing platform except TikTok) or separately send an email with any image or text file).
• Size and Resolution: Images should be high-resolution (a minimum of 2400 x 2400 pixels) of no more than 6MB in size in .JPG or .PNG format. Videos should be of good quality and clarity and no more than 6 minutes in length but can be shorter.
• Images, audio recordings, and videos may be accompanied by a written explanation of no more than 150 words. Accompanying explanations can be submitted through the online form. 
• Literary arts submissions should be no more than 2,500 words. Written submissions should be sent as .DOCX or .PDF files. 
• Content: All entries must be nonpartisan. All entries must creatively interpret the theme of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, focusing on the importance of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in promoting equal employment opportunities. Artwork should convey a message about the impact of the Civil Rights Act on American society. Artwork must be an original work of the student, created without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or digital generation of any kind. Original, digital artwork is allowed, but must be the sole and full creation of the student. 
• Audience: Consider the audience for your artwork which could be, for example, your peers, people entering the workforce, or the general public.
• Accompanying Information: Each submission must include the student's name, grade level, city, state and a contact email address.
• Only one submission per student will be accepted.

Judging Criteria:

• Submissions will be divided into grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 and judged by EEOC staff committees based on the following categories: Literary Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. 
• Winners will be selected in each grade grouping and each category of arts and announced on or after March 21, 2025.
• Creativity and Originality: The uniqueness of the response to the prompt.
• Relevance to Theme: How well the artwork reflects the significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII.
• Artistic Expression: The quality of artistic technique and composition.

Prizes:

• Winners will receive a certificate signed by the EEOC Chair and a ribbon.
• Winners’ art  (including the student’s first name, last name, grade, city, and state) may be displayed at the EEOC’s headquarters building in Washington, D.C. and/or on the EEOC’s website or through social media. 

Submission Deadline:

• Entries may be submitted beginning October 1, 2024, and must be submitted no later than January 20, 2025, at 9:00 pm Eastern time.
• Late submissions will not be considered.

Additional Information:

• By submitting an entry, participants and their guardians grant permission for their work to be displayed or published by the EEOC for promotional or educational purposes, including a listing of the student’s first name, last name, grade, city, and state.
• The decision of the judges is final and binding.

How to Submit:

• Entries should be submitted by filling out the online form.
• Email subject line must include the student's first and last name and grade level.

Contact Information:

• For inquiries or more information, contact artcontest@eeoc.gov.

Please note that the EEOC reserves the right to refrain from accepting, considering, or posting libelous or otherwise inappropriate material, including: material that contains obscene, indecent, or profane content; that contain threats or defamatory statements; that contain hate speech directed at race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, or genetic information; or that promote or endorse services or products.