“Celebrate The West” with art

Celebrate the West is a regional art competition hosted by the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) that challenges high school students to create works inspired by their state.

WGA’s visual arts challenge, sponsored by the Western Governors’ Foundation, is open to high school students in the 19 Western states and three U.S.-flag islands served by the nonpartisan policy association. (Complete list of states below.)

Entrants from WGA member states will create original two-dimensional artwork inspired by their state or informed by living in the West. Students may draw ideas from a variety of sources, including state history, landmarks, natural resources, National Parks and Monuments, people, communities, and culture.

“Original artwork” is defined as artwork which is unique in concept, design, and execution, and is created directly and personally by the Student. “Original” work is not a copy or imitation of another person’s work.

To enter the competition, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12 and submit a digital copy of their entry via email, along with their entry form, to [email protected] by April 30, 2022. Students are encouraged to think about what the West means to them. What does it mean to call the West home? What have we learned about it’s complex past and what do we imagine its future looks like?” Check out the previous years’ winning artwork. WGA’s panel of art experts will select one finalist from each state and territory. State Winners will receive $200 and compete for First ($1,500), Second ($750), and Third Place ($500) Awards at the regional level. Governors may also offer students additional opportunities for recognition. They often meet with winners and finalists, as well as display winning entries in the state capitol or other public space. State winners will be announced on or before May 7. Regional winners will be announced at the Western Governors’ Association’s annual meeting on July 26-28, 2022 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.

“Celebrate the West” is open to high school students from Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

For more information, visit https://westgov.org/celebrate-the-west/competition/2022-competition.