Theme Background

 

On June 19, 1865, U.S. General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 that freed the enslaved people of Texas. In that proclamation General Granger declared the newly freed men and women to have “Absolute Equality.” 

 

Fast-forward to the year 2020 – The events that took place highlighted the ever-present systems of racial injustice and discrimination that still exist in our nation today.  Those events brought awareness and action, as diverse populations spilled into our streets with cries for justice and equality. As we move forward as a community, focused on diversity over division, we are all asked to consider what the promise of Absolute Equality truly means.

 

Artistic Prompt: What does ABSOLUTE EQUALITY mean? 

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Eligibility:

• Middle and high schools from Region IV (Check your school here.)

• Undergraduate students from Houston-area colleges (4-year and 2-year)

• View this map here​ to confirm that you live within Region IV.

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Competition Categories:

2D Work (painting, drawing, printmaking, traditional multimedia / digital painting / photography) 

• Middle school 6-8 grades, high school 9-12 grades, undergraduate college

• No sculptures or 3D work. Please limit submissions to 2D pieces.

• No videos or animations. Please limit submissions to static images.

• Virtual submissions only. Please take photos of your work to upload, if traditional.

• Judging quality of work, not necessarily the quality of the photograph, however please provide a clear photo of the work (avoid blurriness).

• Physical work - no larger than 36 inches in any direction.

• File size 2-3MB, 300dpi preferred. Please provide the best quality you have.

  • jpeg or png files

 

Each art (2D & digital) and photography piece will be judged on these criteria:

• Creativity and insight into theme

• Artistic merit of piece

• Adherence to file size & clearly visible 

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Contest Rules:

• Only 2D, digital and photography. No sculpture/3D work or videos/animations. 

• 2-3MB file size, 300dpi, best quality you have.

• One submission per student.

• No work will be returned.

• Artist statement/Description of Work (Tell us about your piece!)

  • Text box - no minimum set, max 300 words.

• Waiver agreement for publishing

  • By submitting you agree to let your work be published.

  • We have license to use the work. Artist retains copyright.​

 

Awards:

• 1st place: $2,000

• 2nd place: $1,500

• 3rd place: $500

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Timeline:

• Call for submissions open: March 1, 2021

• Deadline for submissions: April 19, 2021

• Jury review: April 1-April 30, 2021

• Winners notified: May 15, 2021

• Public Announcement and Ceremony: June 19, 2021

 

Winners will be announced on Juneteenth (June 19, 2021). No entry fee required. Work is judged by the Art of Equality guidelines so please be sure to review them before beginning. Art of Equality does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in its programs and contests.

 

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