Emancipation Proclamation Contest: Submit Your Creative Entries

Contest Guidelines

OVERVIEW

The Emancipation Proclamation Association, Inc., invites middle and high school students to send original work. The work should explore the theme “The Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation is our Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” This theme encourages students to think about resilience, community, and hope. It also prompts you to consider how individuals and groups help one another through difficult times. Entries can interpret the theme literally or figuratively.

There are four winners. Two are middle school students, grades 6-8, with one essay and one poster. Two are high school students, each with one essay and one poster. Each winner receives a cash prize.

ELIGIBILITY

  • Open to all enrolled students in grades 6–12.
  • Students can send one entry per category (essay, poster, or both).
  • All entries must be the original, individual work of the submitting student. Collaborative submissions are not accepted.

PRIZES

Middle School

  • Essay: $100.00
  • Poster: $100.00

High School

  • Essay: $100.00
  • Poster: $100.00

Winners will be notified by May 20, 2026, by email or phone.

ESSAY CATEGORY

Guidelines:

  • Essays must be between 300 and 500 words.
  • Essays must be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial), with 1-inch margins.
  • A title is required. The title should not include the student’s name.
  • Essays will be judged on relevance to the theme, clarity of argument or narrative, originality, and quality of writing.

Submission Requirements:

  • Save the file as a PDF or Word document (.docx).
  • File name format: Essay_LastName_FirstName
  • Include a separate cover sheet (not counted in word count) with this information:
    • Student’s full name
    • Grade level
    • School name
    • Teacher’s/Guardian name
    • Contact email or phone number

POSTER CATEGORY

Guidelines:

  • Posters must be created on paper no smaller than 11″ x 14″ and no larger than 18″ x 24″.
  • Any medium is acceptable: paint, markers, colored pencil, collage, digital art (printed), or mixed media.
  • The theme “The Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation is our Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” must be visually represented. Text on the poster is optional but should not exceed 25 words.
  • Posters will be judged on several criteria. These include relevance to the theme, visual impact, and creativity. The use of color and composition will also be considered, along with overall craftsmanship.

Submission Requirements:

  • Physical posters must be submitted in person or by mail (do not fold or roll).
  • Digital entries must be submitted as a high-resolution image file (JPG or PNG, minimum 300 DPI).
  • Attach or include a label on the back of the poster (or in the file name for digital entries) with:
    • Student’s full name
    • Grade level
    • School name
    • Teacher’s/Guardian name
    • Contact email or phone number

SUBMISSION DEADLINE & HOW TO SEND

Deadline:  April 30, 2026, by 5 p.m. EST

Send entries to:

Late submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete entries (missing cover sheet or required information) will be disqualified.

JUDGING

Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by the Emancipation Proclamation Association, Inc. Judges will evaluate all entries anonymously. The panel’s decisions are final.

Judging criteria for both categories:

  •   Relevance and depth of engagement with the theme
  •   Originality and creativity
  •   Overall quality and presentation

Results will be announced on May 20, 2026

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

By submitting an entry, students and their parents/guardians grant The Emancipation Proclamation Association, Inc. the right to display, reproduce, and publish the entry for educational and promotional purposes, with credit given to the student. Ownership of the original work remains with the student.

ADDITIONAL RULES

  • Entries must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content.
  • Previously published or submitted work is not eligible.
  • Entries that do not follow the guidelines may be disqualified at the judges’ discretion.
  • The Emancipation Proclamation Association, Inc. is not responsible for lost or damaged submissions.

QUESTIONS?

Contact us at contact form.

We look forward to seeing your creative work!