Dexter R. Stanton Dexter R. Stanton

Celebrate Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting visual art, an essay, or a spoken word piece inspired by his work. St Cloud, Sauk Rapids, and Sartell school district students are invited to creatively express their thoughts and reflections on his legacy. Work will exhibit and awards will be announced at the 12th Annual MLK Everyday Community Celebration the weekend of January 13-17, 2024.

This year's event theme is, Our beloved community: Our Work is Not Yet Done.

The MLK quote for the contest is, "There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right."

- Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

Contest Overview

DUE DATE: Submission period closed 

Friday, December 1, 2023, by 11:59 PM

REQUIREMENTS: Please follow the instructions based on your grade group. In addition to your entry, a brief artist statement will help the judges understand your work and thought process. See page 2 for all of the details.

AWARDS: Given during the MLK Everyday Community Celebration, January 13-17, 2024.

Contest Details

This year's event theme is, Our beloved community: Our work is not yet done. The MLK quote for the contest is, 'There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right."

How do you do (when have you done) what is right, even when difficult? How does that action help MLK's dream come closer to reality? Create either a visual, written, or spoken piece that expresses your understanding of the quote and questions. For high school and college students, also add, what is the impact of taking action?

 

 

GRADE-SPECIFIC GUIDES

Kindergarten-4th Grade
($25 AWARDS)

  • Visual (2D or 3D) - Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry) - Writing should be around 100 words.
  • Spoken -Video should be around 30 seconds long.

5th-8th Grade
($50 AWARDS)

  • Visual (2D or 3D)- Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry)- Writing should be around 200 words.
  • Spoken -Video should be around 1 minute long.

9th-12th Grade
($75 AWARDS)

In addition to the quote and questions under the CONTEST QUOTE section, what is the impact of taking action?

  • Visual (2D or 3D)- Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry)- Writing should be around 600 words.
  • Spoken -Video should be 1-2 minutes long.

College
($150 AWARDS)

In addition to the quote and questions under the CONTEST QUOTE section, what is the impact of taking action?

  • Visual (2D or 3D)- Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry)- Writing should be around 1,000 words.
  • Spoken -Video should be about 2 minutes long.

 

QUESTIONS:

Contact the SCSU Office for Institutional Equity and Access at MLK@stcloudstate.edu or 320.308.5123.

Grade Specific Guides

Kindergarten-4th Grade ($25 Award)

  • Visual (2D or 3D) - Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry) - Writing should be around 100 words.
  • Spoken - Video should be around 30 seconds long.

5th-8th Grade ($50 Award)

  • Visual (2D or 3D) - Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry) - Writing should be around 200 words.
  • Spoken - Video should be around 1 minute long.

9th-12th Grade ($75 Award)

In addition to the quote and questions under the CONTEST QUOTE section, what is the impact of taking action?

  • Visual (2D or 3D) - Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry) - Writing should be around 600 words.
  • Spoken - Video should be 1-2 minutes long.
College ($150 Award)

In addition to the quote and questions under the CONTEST QUOTE section, what is the impact of taking action?

  • Visual (2D or 3D) - Size should be 24" or smaller. Artwork should not be framed.
  • Writing (essay, creative, poetry) - Writing should be around 1,000 words.
  • Spoken - Video should be about 2 minutes long.

Acceptable File Formats

Artwork originals under 24" and writings can be submitted to your school office for pick up. Or you can scan/photograph the work and submit a Word document, PDF, JPG, MP4, MOV.

ONE ORIGINAL CREATIVE ENTRY PER PERSON

Entry

Work can be left at your school office to arrange for pick up OR send it electronically on Jotform.

Submission period closed

Judging

While the quality of work is important, judging is also based on the relevance to the quote and questions, plus the artist's statement. Work needs to be original.

Questions

Contact the SCSU Office for Institutional Equity and Access at MLK@stcloudstate.edu or 320-308-5123.

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