Blue Star Families launches art contest in appreciation of Blue Star Museums
7/30/2010
By Cynthia Hobgood
More than 850 museums across America are offering free admission to military personnel and their families this summer as part of the Blue Star Museums program, a Blue Star Families initiative in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating museums. Inspired by the participation and positive response to Blue Star Museums, Blue Star Families is launching an art contest for military children.
“Almost 1 million children have had a parent deployed during the current conflicts. Blue Star Museums is a fun way to show our appreciation for military families, and the art contest is a neat opportunity for kids to say thanks to the museums and National Endowment for the Arts, as well as create art and potentially win a prize,” said Julie Pippert, Blue Star Museum Program Manager.
The contest runs from July 1 - September 12. The grand prize is a $500 savings bond, three first place prizewinners each will receive a $250 savings bond, and three second place prizewinners each will receive a $100 savings bond.
The contest is open to all military children ages 3 to 17. Military children include any child who has a parent or sibling (including step-parents and siblings) serving on active duty, in the reserves or in the National Guard
Children who enter will send a picture or photos from a museum visit or inspired by Blue Star Museums, with a short description of why they are glad they got to visit the museum. All art will include, in some way, the blue star. Entries may be emailed to museums@bluestarfam.org in a PDF or JPG format.
A panel of judges from Blue Star Families will select the winners, and winning artwork will be displayed on the Blue Star Families Web site and in the Blue Star Museums book. Winners will be announced on October 8, 2010.
The Blue Star Museums free admission benefit is available to all active duty military personnel, National Guard, Reserve and their families through Labor Day 2010. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.BlueStarFam.org and www.arts.gov.