The Office of Governor Quinn encourages all Illinois youth between K - 12 to participate in this 1st Annual 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month Art & Literary Work Contest. There is no entry fee and submissions are limited to one entry per person. Contest participation requires the creation of one original piece per person, inspired by the interpretation of the Hispanic Heritage Month theme “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit” and as described in the guidelines below. There will be a total of four (4) $100-$200 cash prizes that will be awarded to winners based on their age range. Winners will also have their art or literary work displayed in the Illinois State Capitol Building throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.

Art Entry Guidelines:

The Hispanic Heritage Month Art contest is open to all Illinois students in grades K-12. Two winners will be selected: one elementary student (grades K-5) and one middle-school or high-school student (6-12).

In your artwork, depict how Hispanics/Latinos have contributed to the American spirit. You may use traditional, cultural or historical images in your piece.

• Medium can be mixed, watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen, pencil, chalk, or marker on any type of paper or canvas.
• Artwork must be two-dimensional and must not exceed 24” x 48”
• Student’s original signature should be at the bottom right corner of the artwork or on the back of the art piece
• Judging is based on originality, creativity and interpretation of the Hispanic Heritage Month contest theme

Each art entry must include a title page with the following information:

• Student’s Full Name, Student’s Grade Level
• Title of Work, Medium
• Sentence about inspiration or description of work
• Sentence about the student’s interest in art
• School or Organization Name and Address
• Student’s Home Address, Telephone Number

Literary Work Guidelines:

The Hispanic Heritage Month Literary contest is open to all Illinois students in grades K-12. Two winners will be selected: one elementary student (grades K-5) and one middle-school or high-school student (6-12).

In your literary piece, describe how Hispanics/Latinos have contributed to the American spirit. You may use traditional, cultural or historical references in your work.

• Acceptable literary forms include essay, poem or short story only.
• Submissions must be typed; handwritten submissions will not be accepted.
• Piece must not exceed 500 words, and must contain page numbers at the bottom.
• Each essay must reflect the contestant’s own research, writing and original thinking.
• Essay must be written in English but may include Spanish vocabulary.

Each essay must include a title page, not considered part of the 500 word text, with the following information:

• Author’s Full Name, Author’s Grade Level
• Title of Literary Piece
• Sentence about the student’s interest in art
• School or Organization Name and Address
• Student’s Home Address, Telephone Number

Additional Terms:

• One entry allowed per student
• No entry fee
• Art and literary works will be judged by a panel of experts.
• The Office of Illinois Governor will have final authority to define what constitutes an acceptable entry

For additional questions or concerns, please call or email:

Socorro Del Real • Office of Governor Pat Quinn • (312)814-1604 • Socorro.Delreal@illinois.gov

General Release:

By entering the Contest, contestants release and covenant not to bring claim against Sponsors and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and agents from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or with the acceptance, possession or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light). Winning artists grants the Governor’s Office permission to reproduce his or her artwork for non-profit purposes; all other rights to the image remain with the artist. An entry to this contest constitutes full agreement on the part of the artist or their guardian to all conditions outlined in the entry guidelines.

Related Documents

HHM Art Literary Work Contest 2012 (PDF)