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Entries are being accepted for the Unsung Heroes ARTEFFECT Competition from students who want to use their art to change the world. Apply now!
Opportunity Details
The ARTEFFECT annual competition invites submissions from all students in grades 6-12 interested in making a positive impact through their art. Since 2016, thousands of students have participated in ARTEFFECT from around the world. Students creatively interpret the story of an Unsung Hero by creating an original visual artwork, accompanied by a written Impact Statement (500-1,000 words).
Students may interpret the stories of their chosen LMC Unsung Hero in myriad ways including—but not limited to—a narrative sequence or story, portraiture, landscape, conceptual forms, symbols and abstraction. Multiple 2D and 3D mediums are acceptable for submission including painting, drawing, printmaking, textiles, mixed media, digital art, assemblage, and sculpture. There is no size limit. In the Impact Statement, students discuss the Unsung Hero’s unique contribution, their creative process and interpretation, and plans for sharing their artworks with others. There is no entry fee.
The 2025 award categories are:
Grand Prize—$6,000
High School (9-12th grades)
Middle School (6-8th grades)
Spotlight Prizes
Funded and sponsored by the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, the Spotlight Prize offers $1,000 per winner.
An eligible and complete entry to the ARTEFFECT annual competition must include:
Follow this step-by-step guide to submit your project to the competition. There is no entry fee.
Step 1: Choose your Unsung Hero
Your Unsung Hero is the focus of your project. Choose an individual from the list of LMC Unsung Heroes that inspires you! Browse the pre-approved list of LMC Unsung Heroes.
Step 2: Read the Rules & Guidelines
Plan for crafting your best artwrok and Impact Statement. Review the competition rules and guidelines about eligibility criteria and the required visual and written components of your project. Review the competition Rules and Guidelines.
Step 3: Create your Artwork
Using your Unsung Hero’s story as inspiration, create an original visual artwork that highlights your unique artistic voice. Look at the Judging Rubric to see how your project will be evaluated.
Step 4: Write your Impact Statement
Write an essay (500-1,000 words) that address the 5 prompts about your project. Be sure to read the Impact Statement Outline to cover these topics.
Step 5: Submit Your Project!
To complete the online form, you will need the following:
Once you have gather the required materials and information, you are ready to submit your project! You will need to create a free account on Submittable and you can save and review your entry before finalizing your submission.
Submission Confirmations:
For Students: After submitting your artwork, you will receive an email confirmation from Submittable. To ensure you receive this email, please add the "[email protected]" email to your email contact list or safelist. If you do not receive a confirmation email, contact us at [email protected] or log into your Submittable account to confirm your application status.
For Sponsor Teachers: If you would like to follow up on application submissions and confirmations for your students, please email us at [email protected].
Important Documents
QUICK START RESOURCE GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS
Apply for Unsung Heroes ARTEFFECT Art Competition