Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission Seeks Student Voices for 2026 Art & Essay Contest

The Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission invites local students in grades K-6 to participate in its annual Youth Art & Essay Contest, exploring the theme: “Where do you see people caring for each other in our community?”

The contest encourages students to reflect on our Bloomington and Monroe County community and how residents of different backgrounds show up for one another. The submission deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026.

Students may submit artwork or a short essay no more than 1 page. To submit digitally, visit bton.in/HRC2026. Physical copies can be dropped off at Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN 47404. Teachers interested in submitting work for an entire class may email entries to [email protected]. Submissions should include the student’s name, grade, school, and contact information for a parent, guardian, or teacher.

Winners will be announced in April 2026 and will receive passes to the WonderLab Museum. Past winners have showcased creativity, research, and a passion for their topic. All participants are invited to have their work displayed in City Hall during the month of April.

The Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission enforces the Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Ordinance and educates community members about their rights and responsibilities under various civil rights laws.

For more information, visit the Commission’s webpage at bloomington.in.gov/boards/human-rights.