Bexar County Students 18 and Younger Can Submit Original Artwork Through Oct. 9 for a Chance to Have Their Work Featured in San Antonio’s 2027 MLK Celebration
Young artists across Bexar County have until Oct. 9 to put their creativity behind the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The City of San Antonio is accepting submissions for its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Art Contest, inviting students ages 18 and younger to create original artwork inspired by the theme, “40 Years Strong: Upholding a Dream.”
Entries must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
The winning artwork will be used in promotional materials for San Antonio’s 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March and commemorative events. One selected artist will receive a Herweck’s Art Supply gift card, a City of San Antonio gift bag and four all-access passes to official 2027 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission events.
The winning artwork may also appear on City of San Antonio websites, social media, printed materials and media communications connected to the annual MLK celebration. The City will retain ownership and copyright of the selected artwork and may adapt the piece for promotional uses.
Who Can Enter the MLK Youth Art Contest?
The competition is open to current Bexar County residents who are 18 or younger as of the Oct. 9 deadline, including elementary, middle and high school students.
Students may submit traditional two-dimensional artwork including paintings, watercolor, photography, computer graphics and colored-pencil work. However, the City will not accept AI-generated artwork or copyrighted images.
Artwork must also be created specifically for the contest and cannot include text or lettering. Students are limited to one entry each, and group or collaborative submissions are not allowed.
Artists should not sign or otherwise identify themselves on the artwork.
The City also cautions students that the image, likeness and direct quotations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are copyrighted and should not be incorporated into their submissions.
Judges Will Focus on Creativity and This Year’s Theme
Entries will be judged on how effectively they reflect the 2027 theme, along with artistic imagery, creativity and originality.
The judging panel is expected to include representatives from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, City Council District 2, San Antonio Arts Commission, the City’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, and the Department of Arts & Culture.
The selected artist will be notified individually before the winner is publicly announced by the City of San Antonio.
For full contest rules and to submit artwork, visit the City of San Antonio’s official MLK Youth Art Contest page at SA.gov. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.
