Topic

This contest invites students to think deeply about what a democracy is, and to reflect upon and respond to the current state of democracy in the United States. To this end, we are inviting responses in text and/or image(s) to the question:

“If you could make a democracy, what would it look like?”

Download a PDF of contest rules and entry form

Prizes

• Four student responses (two from middle school and two from high school) will be selected for awards of $150 each. In addition, the winning students’ four sponsoring teachers will each be awarded $500 toward the purchase of classroom supplies.

Selection Criteria

• Contest winners will be selected based on originality and depth of thinking.
• Standard art and essay contest criteria DO NOT apply.
• All entries, whether image or text-based, will be considered in the same selection process.

Judges

• A distinguished panel of local writers, artists, and politically-minded thinkers will be announced as judges later this summer. For contest updates, please see Grand Arts’ website: www.grandarts.com.

Rules

• Students may respond to the contest prompt using text, images, or both.
• All responses are limited to a two-dimensional format, and must be submitted on one piece not to exceed 24x36 inches.
• Entries may be typed, printed, or hand-written/drawn/painted in any 2-D medium.
• Every eligible entry will be placed on display at Grand Arts in conjunction with the Animal Nationalism exhibition between September 9 and October 18, 2008. Entries will become the property of Grand Arts and William Pope.L and will not be returned.
• Grand Arts and William Pope.L reserve the right to use the names, images, and entries of winning students for press and publicity purposes.

Eligibility and Deadline

• Students residing in the Kansas City metro area** who will be in grades 6–12 for the 2008-09 school year are eligible to apply.
• For the purpose of this contest, the Kansas City Metro area will be defined as the area within a 15 mile radius of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, 64108.
• All students must have a sponsoring teacher (from any subject area) who teaches at a public or private educational institution located in the above area.
• All submissions must be accompanied by an entry form which includes contact information for the student and sponsoring teacher.
• All entries must arrive at Grand Arts by 5PM Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Entries may be mailed or delivered.
• Winners will be announced by Friday, September 26, 2008.

Closing Reception for Trinket:

Friday, September 12 6–9 p.m.
Please join us for the closing of William Pope.L’s installation, Trinket, at the Exhibition Hall at Municipal Auditorium and at Grand Arts to view Pope.L’s Small Cup video/peformance and the WHAT DOES YOUR DEMOCRACY LOOK LIKE? Art & Essay Contest entries, which will be on display in the side gallery at Grand Arts.

Questions about the contest should be directed to:
Stacy Switzer
Artistic Director
Grand Arts
1819 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
events@grandarts.com
816-421-6887

For additional information about Animal Nationalism
at Grand Arts, please contact:
Lacey Wozny
Grand Arts
Assistant Director
1819 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 421-6887
gallery@grandarts.com