NOW ACCEPTING 2024 APPLICATIONS!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan Annual Art Contest

2024 APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 12TH AT MIDNIGHT

Promoting awareness and appreciation of the Civil Rights movement and advocacy of the principles and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The contest rules and categories:

  • Students in 6-8 grade

  • Students in 9-12

  • Adult

Grand Prize Awards:

  • Grade 6-8: $500

  • Grades 9-12: $500

  • Adult $1000 

Entries must meet the following criteria:

  • Relevant and consistent with the theme “The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis.” ---U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall

  • Original work created in the last 12 months.

  • Accompanied by a 250-word narrative that explains the concept and the relationship to the theme and social justice/inequity (to be displayed alongside the artwork in the exhibition)

  • Art can be any 3D or 2D medium (all digital photography must be printed for wall display by the artist prior to the exhibition)

Artwork must be submitted: 2024 submissions are closed

Please contact MLK Art Coordinator Karla Forrest-Hewitt with any questions at

Email: mlkartcontest2@gmail.com  

Exhibition details: TBD

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid Michigan with support from Delta Dental of Michigan and the MSU Broad Museum launched the MLK Art Contest for local artists to showcase their talents honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

“The arts have a unique ability to frame our world in ways that bring people together and cause them to think differently about our world,” said Elaine Hardy, chairperson of the commission. “We believe this art contest provides context for people to help promote the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.”

Local artists of middle school age and up submitted works of art using mediums ranging from acrylic paint to pencil and charcoal.

Artists were tasked with curating a piece to accompany the theme, “In the long run, justice finally must spring from a new moral climate” and include a 250-word narrative explaining their piece’s relation to social injustice and inequity.

 
 
 
 
 

2023 Gallery