Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holds 7th annual Fair Housing student art contest

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is launching its 7th Annual Fair Housing Art Contest. The competition is open to all Cedar Rapids students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including students who are not U.S. citizens, virtual learners, and those who are home-schooled. Students will compete in four grade groups: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

Theme: The theme of the 2022 competition is “Growing Community” and artists should depict its meaning using an approved art form. (Poster for grades K-8 and Spoken Word or Written Poetry for grades 9-12) Questions for students to consider include what community means to them, and why it is important for communities to be welcoming and diverse in order to grow.

Purpose: This opportunity engages students about fair housing by providing them the opportunity to creatively educate the Cedar Rapids community. This is an opportunity for Cedar Rapids students to share what Growing Community means to them. Fair housing is everyone's right to choose housing free from discrimination.

Award amounts: Students will compete for up to $1,000 toward postsecondary education in an Iowa 529 Plan. These funds can be used for any qualified educational institution in the U.S. or abroad, including four-year colleges, community colleges, trade and vocational schools, graduate schools, and online degree programs. In each category, contest winners will be awarded $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.

Grades K-8 submissions: Students in grades K-8 may enter by submitting a poster in standard poster board size, 18 x 24 inches depicting the theme of Growing Community. If students are in need of poster boards or art supplies, please contact the Civil Rights office.

Grades 9-12 submissions: There are two categories for students in grades 9-12: Spoken Word and Written Poetry. The Spoken Word is original poem or prose to be performed as a monologue and the Written Poetry category may be written in any poetic style, depicting the theme of Growing Community.

Submission and deadline: The contest deadline for submission is 4 p.m. April 22. Contestants must submit the Applicant Entry Form, included in the information packet, to be eligible. Due to COVID, K-8 poster entries will be picked up by commission staff. Text of Spoken Word and Written Poetry may be submitted via email to civilrights@cedar-rapids.org.

Information packets: Information packets can be found by visiting www.cedar-rapids.org/CivilRights

Judging: Submissions will be judged by qualified professionals.