2009 CONTEST THEME

 
This spring The National WWII Museum will present a special exhibit, Fighting for Democracy: Who is the “We” in “We the People”?  Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people (as Abraham Lincoln described it).  This exhibit explores the stories of seven of the people who chose to fight for equality, freedom, and justice before, during, and after World War II. Click here to learn more about the exhibit.

When the United States entered WWII in December 1941, millions of American from many different backgrounds enlisted in the military and filled jobs in the war industries.  Some of these Americans found that they were fighting not only the enemy overseas, but also for their own equal rights at home.  Working together to defend their country, men and women, regardless of race, class, or gender, worked together on the factory assembly lines and on the battlefields.  These ordinary people, who fought for democracy during the war, returned home to continue that fight—to ensure that the United States was a better place for all people.

The theme of this year’s art contest is E Pluribus Unum.  This Latin phrase, once the motto of the United States, means, “Out of Many, One.”  In other words, the United States is made up of many different kinds of people, but together, we are one country. 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Think about examples of people of different backgrounds (geographic, economic, racial, political, religious, etc) working together during WWII (a company of soldiers fighting together on the battlefield, civilians working in a factory on the Home Front, children collecting scrap metal for the war effort) and how people who look differently and think differently must work together today.  Create a piece of art that encourages students to work with others of different backgrounds, just as people did during World War II.  Be sure to include some aspect of or reference to WWII in your artwork.  Your artwork can be a realistic depiction or an abstract representation, in color or black and white, you can use pencil, pen, crayons, markers, paint, or collage.  It must be original, but you can incorporate your interpretation of existing WWII images if you would like.

AWARDS

The Museum will select one winner from each grade.  Winners will receive a $100 prize and a WWII Museum baseball cap.  Three honorable mentions from each grade will receive a certificate and WWII Museum baseball cap.  Winners will be notified May 1, 2009.  Winning entries and honorable mentions will be displayed in an on-line exhibit on the Museum’s website.

RULES

• The contest is open to students in grades 5-8 in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and U.S. military bases
• Art work must be mailed to the Museum and must be postmarked by March 27, 2009
• Art must be no larger than 8½ X 11 and should be mailed flat (no binders please)
• Originals must be submitted (no photocopies or photos of art work will be accepted).  No glitter, please!
• Submissions will not be returned and become the property of The National WWII Museum and may be reproduced, in whole or part, by the Museum in printed or electronic form.  Proper attribution will be made. 
• Only the first 500 submissions will be accepted (check the website)
• Judging will be based on creativity, artistic expression, adherence to theme, and historical accuracy. 
  

SUBMISSION  

All artwork must be accompanied by a completed Submission Form on a separate piece of paper. 

To print out a form, click here.

Artwork should be mailed flat to:

2009 Student Art Contest
The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130 

DEADLINE:
March 27, 2009, or when 500 submissions are received.

Questions?  Email lauren.handley@nationalww2museum.org