A National Park Service Art Competition Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
The National Park Service, in partnership with the National Park Foundation's African American Experience Fund, announced winners of the Expressions of Freedom, a nationwide student artistic competition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The competition offered youth an opportunity to connect with national historic parks and landmark sites, while exploring the enduring themes of our nation's struggles for freedom and equality for all through art.
Winners were selected from more than 250 student submissions in three categories: poetry, photography and digital short films. Students between the ages of 13-18 years were challenged to answer the question, "What does freedom mean to you?" The National Park Service, in partnership with the African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation, presents Expressions of Freedom. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., September 12, 1962
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Check out this video to learn more about the Expressions of Freedom contest! ![]() National Park Service 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a single document that affected the nation's history. The Emancipation Proclamation led to the end of slavery, an injustice that had fueled the Civil War. But the fulfillment of that promise proved long and difficult for many. Equality remained elusive 100 years later as Martin Luther King, Jr., worked to advance civil rights and end racial segregation and discrimination. Today America's national parks preserve important aspects of the journey toward liberty as we approach the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. ![]() National Park Service In commemoration and celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the National Park Service (NPS) announces a nationwide art competition in three categories: photography, poetry, and digital short films. The competition is open to students ages 13 to 18 and will be juried by professional artists. Submissions of artistic works are required to explore personal meanings of freedom and relate to nationally significant themes. The first-place winner in each category will receive a $2,500 academic scholarship. Second-place winners in each category will receive a $1,000 academic scholarship. ![]() National Park Service Expressions of Freedom ![]() National Park Service Competition Timeline ![]() National Park Service Partners In addition, the NPS is seeking professional artists from within the NPS Artist-In-Residence program community, existing youth arts programs, and our museum partners to participate as mentors, as well as judges in the competitive jury process. The National Park Service is excited to collaborate with both local and national partners to connect America's young artists with the threads of history and freedom. |
Last updated: April 30, 2018