Native American Student Art Contest

The Office of Indian Education of the U.S. Department of Education is holding its second Native American Student Art Competition, themed The Power to Dream, The Power to Achieve. The competition, which celebrates the values and documents the successes of education in Indian communities, is again open to American Indian and Alaska Native students in grades K-12, and now includes preschoolers ages 4 and 5. Through the competition, OIE hopes to inspire students to think about the connection between their education and their culture. The 2005 competition, Our Goal, Our Path, Our People, generated entries from over 17 states including Alaska. The winning works were exhibited at the U.S. Department of Education, the National Indian Education Association’s 36th Annual Convention, the Educational Testing Services campus, and the Council of Chief State School Officers offices, recognizing the students’ visions of their education and culture along with their artistic talents.

This year’s entries should relate to the new theme and reflect the promise and importance of pursuing an education for Native youth. Submissions will be judged in six different grade-based categories, and prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each of these categories. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2006. For more information, rules, and the entry form, visit www.indianeducation.org, email sarah@kauffmaninc.com, or call 202-775-3980.