The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights announces its Student Civil Rights Poster Contest.  The commission will honor the winners of the first, second, and third place posters and place on display all the poster entries at its 50th anniversary conference, October 13-16, in Louisville, Ky. The winning posters will be showcased on the website at www.kchr.ky.gov.

Contestants are asked to depict in art form what they think it means to be a protector of civil and human rights, a voice for equality, and a catalyst for positive change in Kentucky.

In 1960, Kentucky became the first state in the south to open its own human rights commission. Kentucky was the first southern state in 1966 to pass its own civil rights law, the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. Again, Kentucky made a first for the south when it passed the Kentucky Fair Housing Act in 1968. The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is the state authority that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and the Kentucky Fair Housing Act. For its 50th anniversary, the commission asks students to design posters that will (1) help raise awareness of these laws that make discrimination illegal, and will (1) inspire the state to continue moving forward so that discrimination becomes a thing of the past, and equal opportunity, mutual respect and tolerance become the way of life enjoyed by all people.

Eligibility  All students in Kentucky from grades kindergarten through senior high school are eligible.  Entries will be judged in four grade level categories: Category 1:  Grades K -2, Category 2:  Grades 3 -5, Category 3: Grades 6 -8, Category 4:  Grades 9 -12.

Deadline  Entries must be postmarked by, May 15, 2010 and delivered to the following address (posters may be mailed flat or rolled) Attention:     Cynthia Fox Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Civil Rights Poster Contest 332 W. Broadway, Suite 700 Louisville, KY 40202

Judging In evaluating the entries, the judges will look for: Clarity of message, Originality, creativity, and neatness.  Judging will take place in June 2010.  All decisions by the judges are final.  Each winner will be notified by phone or email.  Judges reserve the right to decline granting awards in categories with insufficient qualified entries.

Poster Size and Materials  Poster size may be no larger than 18 x 24 inches and no smaller than 8.5 x 11 inches.  Poster may be drawn horizontally or vertically.  Any two-dimensional medium may be used including crayons, pencils, markers, and paint.  If using charcoal or pastels, please finish with a fixative to prevent smudging.  Tip:  use color and/or a high contrast in the design, so the message is understandable at a distance.  Be sure the poster itself gives no specific information that identifies the student, teacher, school, district or community.  All artwork must be the original design and creation of the entrants themselves.  The poster cannot contain any copyrighted material (logos, characters, trademarks, photographs, etc).

Entry release forms  One entry per student is allowed.  On official completed entry form and release form must accompany the artwork and include signatures for the student and the student’s parent/guardian.  All information must be printed.  Fasten the entry and release forms to the back of the poster by clipping (do not staple). Visit the website at www.kchr.ky.gov for forms. Look toward the bottom of the homepage.

Permissions  All posters submitted become the property of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights during and after the contest and may be used for promotional purposes. (see returns section below).

Returns  Posters may be returned to the schools, following the Kentucky Civil Rights Conference in October, if requested.  To have posters returned, please include an appropriate sized self-addressed envelope with accurate return postage.  Posters without return envelopes and proper postage will not be returned and will remain the property of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights.