The “Drug-Free Art/Calendar” contest was designed by NAHMA to involve children, from kindergarten through high school, to educate the nation’s youth on the dangers of substance abuse. With the support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Rural Housing Services, the scope of the competition has increased dramatically and now includes Elderly, Disabled and Special Needs residents. The art/calendar contest is an activity that not only helps to ensure the health and well-being of our residents, but it also goes a long way toward maintaining a positive public perception of your property and community. The project is sponsored by AHMAs throughout the country and NAHMA.
Entries are judged on the artist’s ability to create a submission with the contest theme. While the general purpose of the program is to promote being drug free, the theme for artists to portray on their poster changes each year. The theme for the 2023 Contest (for the 2024 Calendar) is:
People Helping People: Promote Acts of Kindness
Judges consider:
INTERPRETATION of the theme
ORIGINALITY of submission;
QUALITY: Is the artwork submission appealing to the eye;
OVERALL ARTISTIC ABILITY: Does the artwork submission show some degree of creativity and skill for its age group;
REPRODUCTION: Can artwork be reproduced with reasonable quality and clarity.
CONTEST WINNERS
Winners will be selected from across the Mid-Atlantic area. Categories include:
•Kindergarten - 1st Grade
• 2nd Grade - 3rd Grade
• 4th Grade - 6th Grade
• 7th Grade - 9th Grade
• 10th Grade - 12th Grade
• Elderly / Disabled/ Special Needs
Winning posters are sent to NAHMA to be included in the National Contest. National winners will be featured in the 2021 NAHMA Calendar and will receive prizes as designated by NAHMA.
FOLLOW THESE RULES TO PREVENT POSTER DISQUALIFICATION
All Contestants submitting artwork must be a resident of a community that is currently a member of the Mid-Atlantic AHMA.
While we encourage community activities to brainstorm the theme and contest rules, entries must be created by the individual without assistance.
The five grade categories for children are based on the grade level the contestants will have completed by June 2020:
· Kindergarten - 1st Grade
· 2nd Grade - 3rd Grade
· 4th Grade - 6th Grade
· 7th Grade - 9th Grade
· 10th Grade - 12th Grade
Elderly participants are residents 55 and over who live in a MA-AHMA community. Disabled participants are residents of any age who live in a MA-AHMA community. Special Needs participants are residents of any age living in permanent supportive housing or an 811 community. Participants under 18, will be considered with their peers in the grade-level categories.
Artwork must be submitted on a 22 in. x 28 in. poster board or heavy art paper (portrait or landscape layouts accepted).
Any medium may be used (paint, crayons, colored pencils, collage, etc.) but must be protected against damage.
Use this year’s theme as the focal point of the poster to convey a positive message.
Including the words “AHMA Drug Free Kid” or any other drug free message is NOT MANDATORY.
Use of cartoon characters, product brands, logos, individual names or property names is not permitted. Do not include the child’s, property’s, company’s or Mid-Atlantic AHMA’s name on the front of the poster
A Participant Information Form and NAHMA RELEASE FORM must be completed, legible, and attached with tape to the back, upper right-hand side, of each submission. Incomplete forms will make submissions ineligible. Elderly/Disabled & Special Needs forms do not require age, birthday, school or parent information.
All posters submitted to the Mid-Atlantic AHMA Office become the property of MA-AHMA and NAHMA, who have the right to use the art for publicity, publications and advertisements. POSTERS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
All entries MUST be received by the Mid-Atlantic AHMA Office no later than Tuesday, April 10.
Call the Mid-Atlantic AHMA office at (804)673-4128 with any questions or concerns.
SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE MAILED TO BE RECEIVED BY THE MID-ATLANTIC AHMA OFFICE BY: TUESDAY, April 10th.
Submission Instructions:
Please click here to download contest instructions
Please click here to download contest flyer [Docx]
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