Art & Poetry Challenge 2025
Join the Challenge
The Racial Unity Team is sponsoring its seventh annual Art & Poetry Challenge, inviting K-12 students and adults to submit an original poem or artwork.
Eligibility & Rules
The Challenge is open to all residents of New Hampshire. Students living out of state but attending NH schools are eligible. Submissions are welcome in the following five categories:
- Elementary School (Grades K-2)
- Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
- Adult
Each participant may submit only one poem or one artwork for review.
Collaborative submissions (‘Group Submissions’) are allowed for both poetry and visual art and are open to all age categories. They will be judged in the appropriate age category.
Poems may be no more than two pages and are limited to 50 lines. Poems should be submitted in Times New Roman font, size 12; line spacing 1.5. Prose is also accepted in the poetry category and 500 words or less.
*Please make sure your written word is sent in as you want it to read. Note: font will change for the framing of the submission for the exhibit. If there is a specific font you would like your piece to be in for the final form, please indicate this when you send in your work.
Visual artwork should be unframed and may not exceed 16x20 inches.
We encourage the use of various art mediums to create comics, graphic art, and cartoons as well as photographs, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other 3-D submissions. Please note, 3-D submissions may be no larger than 12x12x12 and weigh no more than 10 pounds.
Paintings and drawings must fit within the following standard frame sizes:
- 4 x 6”
- 5”x7”
- 8” x 10”
- 8.5’ x 11”
- 12" x 12"
- 11” x 14”
- 16” x 20”
Students may enter a collaborative project that includes a poster-sized submission up to 36x48 inches.
Please reach out to us at artpoetry.racialunityteam@gmail.com if a disability requires special accommodation.
When and Where to Submit your Entry
The Racial Unity Team will accept submissions starting January 15, 2025. Participants must submit their poem or original artwork by August 31, 2025.
The first step is to complete the Submission Form online. Please indicate your legal name and your preferred name on the submission form. The form includes an “artist statement,” which should be written with the theme “Building Bridges, Tearing Down Walls” in mind.
Next, email a copy of your poem in Word format to artpoetry.racialunityteam@gmail.com.
Or, email a photo of your artwork. Then mail the original artwork to: Racial Unity Team, PO Box 101, Stratham NH 03885 so that it is received by August 31, 2025.
For sculptures and 3-D artworks, you are welcome to mail them, if they are packaged safely. We will also establish designated drop off locations around the state for sculptures and other 3-D artwork that will be picked up by August 31, 2025.
The Racial Unity Team takes no responsibility for lost or damaged artwork.
Judging
Professional writers/poets/teachers/artists will select the winners from among the participants, who remain anonymous during the judging process. Judges use the following criteria:
Artwork:
1. The artist’s point of view is clear.
2. There is a clear focus on the theme of “Building Bridges, Tearing Down Walls.”
3. The work shows bias or its effects. The bias may be related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, ability, faith, gender expression, or gender identity.
4. The work shows originality.
5. The work is clear and detailed.
Poetry:
1. The writer’s point of view is clear.
2. There is a clear focus on the theme of “Building Bridges, Tearing Down Walls.”
3. The work shows bias or its effects. The bias may be related to race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, ability, faith, gender expression, or gender identity.
4. The writing shows originality.
5. There is supportive imagery that is clear, insightful, and detailed.
Awards
Up to a total of $6,000 will be given to first-, second-, and third-place winners in both poetry and visual arts for all five age categories. The awards will include a minimum of $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. In addition, there may be a Racial Unity Team President’s Award that will recognize collaborative submissions, a positive impact on those around them, or demonstration of the theme in action in the state of NH.
No individual may be awarded a cash prize for more than two consecutive years.
Opening Ceremony and Traveling Exhibit
There will be an awards ceremony and opening exhibit of all submissions in November 2025. The Racial Unity Team will frame the artwork and poems. Submitted artwork will be kept for up to two years as the exhibit travels the state of New Hampshire in local libraries and art galleries.
In addition, award-winning poets may be asked to read their poems or prose to local audiences and art winners to describe their art in select ceremonies around the state. This is an offer each participant is free to accept or decline.
There will also be a virtual exhibit on the Racial Unity Team website and locations selected around the state. Please inquire if you know of a location that would want to display the exhibit.
Non-exclusive Permission
By entering the Art & Poetry Challenge, you are granting the Racial Unity Team a non-exclusive perpetual license to reproduce images of your artwork or poetry on our social media pages, website, and in the marketing of the Art & Poetry Challenge to the general public. Artworks will not be used for any other purpose than that which is stated here. All entries will be displayed on the Racial Unity Team website and may be displayed during other public events.
Racial Unity Team
P. O. Box 101 Stratham, NH 03885
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