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​I wonder...

Wonder, curiosity, and questions are a part of growing up and finding your place in your communities. Harnessing these superpowers allows you to find the right answers to make your world, and our shared world, a better place. Your wonderful brain and unique thoughts are all part of your journey of curiosity and questions! As you create your art, we encourage you to consider what you wonder about?

The 42nd annual Illinois Arts Education Week is March 11-15, 2024. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) have collaborated to create more visibility for young Illinois artists and showcase their talent, as well as reinforcing the importance of the arts in the growth and development of our students.

The theme for the 2024 contest is: I wonder...

The contest includes four entry levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. A panel of judges will select a winner and two runners-up in each entry level. All winners and runners-up will have their original work displayed by the ALPLM from March 11, 2024 to August 15, 2024. The winning students in each entry level will have their work featured on a poster to celebrate Illinois Arts Education Week.

Mail entries to:

Arts Contest
Student Care
100 North First Street, E-222
Springfield, IL 62777

Please indicate number of entries sent with return address.

Contest Rules

  • Your work must reflect or interpret the theme “I wonder...” You are not required to incorporate the words of the theme into the work, just the concept.
  • You must submit a brief written Artist’s Statement with your entry that describes how the theme relates to your creation.
  • Artwork must be no larger than 11” x 14” inches, two-dimensional,
  • and flat (not folded). Folded entries will not be judged.
  • Only Illinois students, in grades K-12 at a public, private, alternative, or home school, may enter the contest.
  • All art must be your original work and not include copyrighted images.
  • Do not use glitter; entries that use glitter will not be accepted for judging.
  • If you choose to use chalk or pencil, please make sure your work is able to be reproduced and encase it in a sleeve to prevent smearing when mailed.
  • If your artwork is abstract, please mark the TOP with an “X” on the back.
  • A work that was submitted to the contest in previous years may not be resubmitted.
  • There is no limit on the number of entries per school; however, each student may only submit one entry.
  • You must submit a hard copy of your work to the address provided. This includes original artwork or a printed copy of a photograph or digitally created image.
  • All entries must be postmarked no later than Thursday, January 5, 2024.

Don’t Forget...

Include a self-addressed envelope with the appropriate postage,if you want your original artwork to be returned. Fully complete and securely attach the Authorization Form on the back of your entry. If you are home schooled, please put “Home School” for your district and “N/A” for the principal. Artist’s Statement must be attached to your entry or your work will be disqualified.​​​​​​

 2023

​​

​"HOME IS"...

[hohm] noun/adverb/adjective

  1. Home is more than a structure.
  2. Home is belonging, the feeling of arrival, a memory, or a moment.
  3. Home is past, present, and future and means different things to different people.
  4. Home is where you feel safe and where you find a haven.

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 41st annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 13-17, 2023.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2023 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2023 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

High School Division:
9-12 Winner (Best in Show)
Lauren Lee Age: 18 Grade: 11th
Glenbrook North High School, Glenbrook North High School District #225 (Teacher: Chad Davidson, Fine Arts, cdavidson@glennbrook225.org)

"Home is where life begins. Home is where life ends. Home is life. There is an old myth that storks deliver babies to families. They deliver babies that carry life to a house. In this painting, I made them carry houses instead, as houses symbolize life. There are different kinds of life – life with a significant other, life with a family, life alone, etc. Whether or not these lives are joyful, all of them produce their own kind of love. They produce love in different colors and different shapes."

 

Middle School Division:
6-8 Winner
Anaya Chikhalia Age: 11 Grade: 6th
Hanover Countryside, Elgin Area School District U46 (Teacher: Mrs. Jill Schmidt, Fine Arts, jillschmidt@u-46.org

"Home is Home. I drew a house inside a heart because...anywhere you go, you will miss your home. You would miss your room, bed, and your sofa. If I am on vacation away from home, I would think about home I would miss it. I also would think about people who don’t have a home or can’t afford one. Those people wouldn’t have a couch or bed. They can’t watch TV with their family in the family room. When I do think about that I appreciate my mom and dad. They worked hard for us to get our house. I am very thankful. So home is important for life. It will hold all our memories that we created. My home will always be in my heart. My heart will hold the memories that me and my family had and will have. My heart will always hold my house."

 

Elementary School Division:
3-5 Winner
Hailey Gainer Age: 11 Grade: 5th
Three Oaks Elementary School, Cary School District #26 (Teacher: Ms. Elizabeth O’Connor, Fine Arts, Elizabeth.Oconnor@cary26.org)

"This picture represents home because flowers are a common center piece on my dinner table in my house. They have often brought me comfort if I’m having a bad day or calmed me down if I’m panicking. I have flowers in my room and even though they're fake they still give me faith. The flowers make me calm. And I think home is trust, calmness, and freedom for these reasons. First off, home is trust because you have walls, a door and a roof protecting you. You can trust that you're​ safe. Home is calmness because you can relax without anybody looking at you or saying something to you. You can also clear your mind in a quiet space. Lastly, home is freedom because you can do what you want, watch what you want, and say what you want in your own home. You have the freedom to do what you wish in your home. Flowers are my way of representing home and these reason in this picture."

 

Early Learning School Division:
K-2 Winner
Sebastian De Guzman Age: 7 Grade: 2nd
Westchester Primary School, Westchester School District #92.5 (Mrs. Jill Jacobsen, Fine Arts, jjacobsen@sd925.org)

"For me, home is where I have my loving family. I chose to draw the planet earth because this is where we all live, and we should all love and take care of our home. Home is anywhere in the world, as long as I have my loved ones with me."​​​

 2022

​​​"Survival Through Self-Expression"

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 40th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 14-18, 2022.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2022 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2022 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

Middle School Division:
6-8 Winner (BEST IN SHOW/Overall Winner)
Elizabeth Ramirez Age: 13 Grade: 8th
Old Orchard Junior High, District 68 (Teacher: Nicolina Mandile-Egan, nmandile-egan@skokie68.org)

“When composing the ideas for my art piece, I first thought of what did survival of self-expression mean to me. The first image in my mind was how in this pandemic, many people coped and survived through their own self-expression. The gray tones used for the woman in the drawing set the mood of how I felt and how many felt during part of the pandemic. The striking red gladiolus flowers growing beneath the woman's hand/arm symbolizes strength that was hidden but is now growing and beginning to show. The yellow and orange marigold flower represents a light within a person, with the colors meaning positive energy and optimism. That optimism is what many people found in self-expression and that would be in different emotions of yourself shown in many forms."

 

High School Division:
9-12 Winner
Vidipta Roy Age: 15 Grade: 10th
Adlai E Stevenson High School, District 125 (Teacher: Patrick Fairchild​)

“This piece is my rendition of how an individual survives in a society. The black and white mask represents the idea that society is built on the foundations of right and wrong. However, the person behind the peeling mask remains in color to depict their complexity, and to show how their thoughts and actions contribute to making them unique. We all are granted the freedom of expression, yet, as individuals we are constantly battling with the dilemma of choosing the most appropriate form of this freedom that lets us fit into society while simultaneously letting us remain true to ourselves."​

 

Elementary School ​Division:
3-5 Winner
Daleia Muhammad-Walker Age: 11 Grade: 5th
Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, District 161 (Teacher: Ms. Kemp, ckemp@sd161.org)

“Hello, my name is Daleia Muhammad-Walker. The reason I choose the drawing I did is because nature is the reason why I survive. Nature is what keeps me pushing. That's why I choose my drawing."​

 

Early Learning School Division:
K-2 Winner
Diana Lepak Age: 7 Grade: 2nd
Westchester Primary School, District 92.5 (Teacher: Jill Jacobsen, jjacobsen@sd925.org​)

“My painting is about how to survive by having kindness, being brave, strong, smart, and have a lot of love."​​​​

 2021

​​​"Art Surrounds Us"

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 39th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 15-19, 2021.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2021 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2021 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

High School Division and Overall Contest Winner: Bella Wiehle
West Chicago Community High School, West Chicago Community High School District 94
Art Teacher: Mr. David Exner

 

Middle School Division: Genevieve Harmount​​​​​​​
Gurrie Middle School, La Grange district 105
Art Teacher: Ms. Alexa Motto​​

 

Elementary Division: Vanessa Andrade​​​​​​​
Jefferson Elementary School, Berwyn North School District 98
Art Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Giemza

 

Early Learning School Division: Journey Boaz​​​​​​​
Ottawa Elementary School, Ottawa School District 141
Art Teacher: Jessica Presnak​​​​

 2020

​​​"Leadership is an art"

​Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 38th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 16-20, 2020.​

Illinois Arts Education Week 2020 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.​​​

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2019 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

High School Division and Overall Contest Winner: Matthew Seiya Abe-Bell
Springfield High School, Springfield School District 186
Art Teacher: Ms. Beth Pianezza

 

Middle School Division: Alexandra Bravo​​​​​​​
Westchester Middle School, Westchester Public Schools District 92 ½
Art Teacher: Mrs. Theony Demakis​​

 

Elementary Division: Michael J. Golminas​​​​​​​
St. Joseph School, Downers Grove
Art Teacher: Mrs. Kristen Beirne​​​​

 2019

​​​'ART CONNECTS HISTORY WITH THE FUTURE!'

​Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 37th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 11-17, 2019.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2019 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.​​​

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2019 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

First Place: Lydia Cruz
Maine South High School, District 207
Park Ridge
Cherie Rams, Art Teacher​​

 

Second Place: Declan Beahan​​​​​​​
Northwest Middle School, CUSD 200
Woodstock
Virginia Rice, Art Teacher​​

 

Third Place: Camila Lopez​​​​​​​
Aux Sable Elementary School, District 201
Minooka
Andrea Pierre, Art Teacher​​​​​​​

 2018

​​​'The ARTS Make History Come Alive!'

​Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 36th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 12-18, 2018.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2018 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.​​​

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2018 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

First Place: Tejaswi Achanta​​​​​​​
Westfield Middle School, District 13
Bloomingdale
Deyana Matt, Art Teacher​

 

Second Place: Alec Osato​​​​​​​
Westfield Middle School, District 13
Bloomingdale
Deyana Matt, Art Teacher​

 

Third Place: Audrey Lupton​​​​​​​
Franklin Middle School, District 186
Springfield
Mrs. Amy Minch, Art Teacher​

 2017

​​​'Art has no boundaries!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 35th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 13-19, 2017.

 Illinois Arts Education Week 2017 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.​​​

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2017 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.


 

First Place: Lia Lauck, age 17, Junior
Oswego High School, District 308
Oswego
Michael Skura, Art Teacher

 

Second Place: Anna Schultz, age 17, Junior
The Willows Academy
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Michele Morris, Art Teacher

 

Third Place: Heidi Fischer, age 16, Junior​​​​​​​
Johnsburg High School, District 12
Johnsburg
Judy Krueger, Art Teacher​

 2016

'There is Magic in the ARTS!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 34th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 14-20, 2016.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2016 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.​

This year's poster contest winners will receive recognition at the 68th annual IAEA Fall Conference, Nov. 3-5 in Normal. The first-place winner was honored at a State Board of Education meeting and a framed poster has been displayed in the Board Room in Springfield.​

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.​​​


 

First Place: Julia Zhang, Age 11

Art Instructor: Cindi Sartain, Highland Middle School, District 70, Libertyville, IL

 

Second Place: Samara Jaquez, Age 12​

Art Instructor: Josh Vance, Westview Hills Middle School, Maercker District 60, Willowbrook, IL

 

Third Place: Nelly Gil, Age 10​​​​​​​

Art Instructor: Stasha Hayes, Southside Elementary School, District 6, Morrison, IL​​​​​​

 2015

'Art is Timeless'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 33rd annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 16-22, 2015.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2015 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

This year's poster contest winners will receive recognition at the 67th annual IAEA Fall Conference, Nov. 5-7 in Lisle. The first-place winner will be honored at a State Board of Education meeting and a framed poster will be displayed in the Board Room in Springfield.

Click on the thumbnails below to see large PDF versions the winning entries. The back of the poster features upcoming art events, resources and more.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department​ at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.

 

First Place: Jessa Mae Mendiola

Art Instructor: Ms. Jen Belmonte, Hinsdale South High School, Hinsdale Township, District 86, Darien, IL

 

Second Place: Jeremiah Yang​

Independent Entry, Glenbrook South High School, School District 225, Northfield Township, Glenview, IL

 

Third Place: Becca Timko​​​​​​​

Art Instructor: Ms. Jen Belmonte, Hinsdale South High School, Hinsdale Township, District 86, Darien, IL​​​​​​​​​​

 2014

'Art is Everywhere'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations​ to the winners of the poster contest for the 33rd annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 17-23, 2014. It was sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students. Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster, which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois. 

The annual IAAE awards ceremony was held in March at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year. This year’s poster contest winner and others will also receive recognition at this ceremony. Posters can be requested by calling (217) 524-4632 or emailing arts@isbe.net or cpowell@isbe.net.

 

2014 Winner

Liv Bertaud, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville Elementary District 70, Libertyville
Art Instructor: Ms. Cindi Sartain

 

Second Place

Tina Nair, Westview Hills Middle School, Maercker School District 60, Willowbrook

 

Third Place

Casey K. Darre, Westfielf Middle School, Bloomingdale School District 13, Bloomingdale​​​​​​​​​

​​

 2013

'Arts 4 All!'

The third week of March is traditionally designated Illinois Arts Education Week by Governor Pat Quinn. This year's Illinois Arts Education Week was March 11-17, 2013.  It is also sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students.  Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois. 

The Annual IAAE Awards Ceremony was held on March 14, 2013 at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield.  The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year.  This year’s poster contest winner and others received recognition at this ceremony

 

2013 Winner

Holly Johnson, Hinsdale South High School District 86, Darien
Art Instructor: Mr. Greg Gardner

 

2nd Place

Kelly Henaughan, St. Charles East High School District 303, St. Charles

 

3rd Place

Trystin Mansfield, DuQuoin High School District 300, DuQuoin​

​​

 2012

'Be Art Smart'

The third week of March is traditionally designated Illinois Arts Education Week by Governor Pat Quinn. It is also sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students.  Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois.  The next Illinois Arts Education Week will be March 11-17, 2013. The 2013 contest will limit entries to high school students, grades 9-12 only.

The 2012 Annual IAAE Awards Ceremony was held on March 15th at the Executive Mansion in Springfield.  The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year.  This year’s poster contest winner and others received recognition at this ceremony.

March 15, 2012 -- Students honored during the 30th annual Illinois Arts Education Week Poster contest winners recognized at Governor’s Mansion in Springfield The Illinois State Board of Education honored student winners of the statewide arts education poster contest today at the Governor’s Mansion, a highlight of the 30th annual Illinois Arts Education Week that runs March 12th through the 16th and celebrates the importance of the fine arts. Students across the state competed to create posters reflective of this year’s theme, “Be Art Smart!”​

 

2012 Winner

Reese Dannenfeldt, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville
Art Instructor, Ms. Cindi Sartain

 

2nd Place

Madison Meyer, Washington Elementary, Sterling

 

3rd Place​​​​​​​

Daniel Diaz, Westfield Manor School, Bloomingdale

 

Honorable Mention

Alanna Buttitta, SD 13 - Bloomingdale

 

Honorable Mention

Ellen Jiang, SD 60 - Willowbrook

 

Honorable Mention

Eli McEwan, SD 70 - Libertyville

 

Honorable Mention

Giovanny Rodriguez, SD 92-1/2 - Westchester​​​

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