Page last updated on April 16, 2025 at 10:05 am
The Eco-Heroes Art Contest seeks to connect the natural curiosity of students and residents to their passion for the environment and creativity as artists, writers, and craftspeople.
The entry period for the 2025 Eco-Heroes Art Contest is now closed!
Participation in the Eco-Heroes Art Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled students in grades K-12, as well as adults (18+) who reside in the City of Bloomington. The theme of the 2025 Eco-Heroes Art Contest is “Bugs in Bloom: How Native Insects Are Important to Bloomington.” The term “bugs” can mean a lot of things and we hope to see a wide variety! Herbivores such as grasshoppers, katydids, seed bugs, shield bugs, cicadas, aphids, leaf beetles, weevils, moths, butterflies, and more; predators such as spiders, wasps, assassin bugs, lacewings, praying mantis, dragonflies, ladybugs, and more; even decomposers such as sowbugs/pillbugs, termites, centipedes, millipedes, flies, and more are part of this theme. Insects are more than just pollinators, they play a crucial role in the food web, serving as the primary food source for many birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. We are eager for educators, club leaders, parents, and students to help spread the word about Eco-Heroes and share their take on our theme. Let’s celebrate our native bugs and all they do for us!
Entries based on the theme are encouraged in a wide range of formats, including written, visual, or performance art. We welcome posters, sculptures, quilts, essays and poems, photography, music, or whatever you want if it can relate to the theme. The deadline for submissions is by Friday, April 11th by 5:00pm. Artwork can be brought to City Hall (401 N. Morton St., Suite 130) at the front desk. Digital art files may be submitted via email to the Environmental Commission at environment@bloomington.in.gov. These submissions must also include an entry form.
The Eco-Hero Art Awards will be presented to the first-, second-, and third-place winners in five grade groups (Pre-K–2 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, and adults 18+). Participants are welcome to collaborate and work in pairs, groups, or as a class. Each winner will be honored as an Eco-Hero by the City of Bloomington at the awards ceremony. Please join us on Saturday, April 19th at the Earth Day celebration at Switchyard Park, where each Eco-Hero will receive prizes sponsored by local businesses.
If you have any questions about the Eco-Heroes Art Contest, please email environment@bloomington.in.gov.