At NMILC, we are dedicated to reclaiming the narrative and conversation around immigration and our border communities by creating lasting cultural change through “artivism,” storytelling and advocacy. Last year, we tried something entirely new: a design contest for middle and high school students across New Mexico. In the middle of a pandemic, we gave students a prompt, a deadline, and the opportunity to win prizes…and the results blew us away! We are thrilled to announce that the NMILC Design Contest is back for a second year! This year’s theme is: Self Portrait: Life in a Border State
What it is:
A design contest open to all New Mexico students grades 6-12. Create a design inspired by the prompt "Self Portrait: Life in a Border State" in whatever two-dimensional medium you prefer. Crayons, colored pencils, paint, photography, digital work, fabric/weaving, etc--the choice is yours. You must register in order to enter! Submit your original design to contest@nmilc.org no later than April 30, 2022 May 2, 2022.
About the theme:
We chose the theme “Self Portrait” in order to give students an accessible, explorable subject that ties to our work highlighting stories from our border communities. These pieces of art will be archived as part of our Border Narrative Project for future generations to see and continue to mold the narrative around our border and immigrant communities through “artivism.”
We are looking for entries that are very literal as well as interpretive. The entries will be judged on their originality and intentionality. The winning entries will be thoughtful and show attention to detail.
Our Prize List:
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The Grand Prize entry will be a truly incredible piece of artwork. It will exhibit originality, creativity, and skill that goes beyond the other entries.
Prize: Wacom Intuos Wireless Graphics Drawing Tablet , 10.4" x 7.8"
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The First Place entry will be a truly unique piece of artwork. It will exhibit originality, creativity, and skill that goes beyond the other entries.
Prize: $100 Gift Card
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The Second Place entry will be a truly unique piece of artwork. It will exhibit originality, creativity, and skill.
Prize: $50 Gift Card
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The Honorable Mention award goes to an entry that exhibits great effort.
Prize: $50 Gift Card
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Our People’s Choice award is determined by a Facebook vote. This voting will take place the week of May 2-6th. The People’s Choice award is a title only and could potentially be applied to an entry that also wins one of the awards above.
Prize: No additional prize
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New this year: the teacher with the most students who enter will win a $100 gift card for their classroom!
Need some inspiration? Click here!
Every student who submits an entry will receive a certificate of achievement and promotional materials from NMILC.
Each design will be added to an archive as part of the Border Narrative Project. Read more about that here!
Each student can submit up to 3 designs, but each student will only be eligible to win one prize. See 2021 submissions here.
