Wassmuth Arts Awards

How can seemingly small, daily choices help create communities where human dignity thrives?

The 2027 Wassmuth Arts Awards challenges Idaho K – 12 students to imagine the impact of Designing for Belonging. The Wassmuth Powerful Practice of Design for Belonging shapes environments, experiences, and systems so all people are included, valued, and able to participate fully in community life.

The artwork should address one or more of these questions:

• What does belonging mean in your community?
• What is possible when we all feel like we belong?
• How does designing for belonging advance justice?

General Guidelines

K – 12 Idaho students may submit an entry in one or both categories: writing and visual arts.

Submissions will be evaluated for their vision and technical skill.

The use of AI is prohibited. All artwork must be original.

All entries must be submitted online at tinyurl.com/WassmuthAA by Wednesday, March 10, 2027. Each student must have a unique Gmail account to submit through the portal.

Participants must include a signed media release with each submission. This form is available at tinyurl.com/WassmuthAA

Writing

• Submissions are limited to a maximum of 2,000 words.
• This work may take any written form, such as poetry, short story, dramatic script, letter, or essay.

Visual Art

• Students may submit 2D or 3D work from their chosen media, such as painting, drawing, ceramics, digital, cartoon, mixed media, photography, or sculpture.
• Each entry must include an artist’s statement of no more than 250 words that briefly describes their creative process, chosen medium, and how the work relates to Design for Belonging.
• In addition to submitting the artwork digitally, students are strongly encouraged to deliver or mail the original artwork to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, 777 South 8th Street, Boise, Idaho 83702. Clearly print your full name, school, and grade on the back. You may pick up the work by May 21 or donate it to the Wassmuth Center.

Awards Recognition

• Prizes will be awarded for visual art and writing in these grade bands:
  • • K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12
• Awards include recognition as well as generous contributions to an IDeal Idaho Education Savings Program account.
  • First place – $150
  • Second place – $100
  • Third place – $75
• Winners will be notified by April 2, 2027.
• Winning submissions will be displayed at the Wassmuth Center and published in a variety of formats.
• Artists will be recognized at the Wassmuth Arts Awards Showcase in May 2027.