Artists v. Hate
In November 2020, the D.C. Office of the Attorney General and Project Create launched a D.C. youth art competition called Artists v. Hate, Standing Up for Humanity. This competition, which is a part of Attorney General Racine’s larger counter hate initiative, is designed to empower D.C. youth to stand up against hate, to promote social justice, and to inspire change through art!
Learn more about the competition, the upcoming award ceremony, and the accompanying curriculum framework for teachers and administrators below.
About the Competition
What is it?
We want to empower D.C. youth to design artwork that counters hate, promotes social justice, and inspires change. The Office of the Attorney General and Project Create designed this competition to generate dialogue in and outside of the classroom about taking a stand against hate and standing up for the common humanity we all share.
Who can participate?
Any District resident ages 11-19.
What art form is accepted?
Any! Spoken word, poetry, paintings, drawings, mixed media, graphic design, video, photography, etc. The rules and restrictions:
- All artwork submissions must be accompanied by an artist statement, not to exceed 150 words.
- JPEG, PNG, PDF, and MP4 files accepted.
- MP4 files should not exceed 2 minutes.
How are the winners decided?
A panel of judges will vote on first, second, and third place winners.
What will the winners receive?
1st place $250, 2nd place $100, and 3rd place $50. Five honorable mentions will receive $20 gift cards to Blick Art Materials.
Note: All winners and honorable mentions will be asked to complete a media release form provided by the Office of the Attorney General in advance of the virtual ceremony held sometime in 2021. Adult consent will be required for minors.
When is it due?
The deadline for the 2020-2021 competition has now closed. The winners will be announced on April 1, 2021.
Where can I direct any other questions that I have?
Email us at peoplevhate@dc.gov. We’re happy to answer your questions and are excited that you’re interested in the competition.
About the Virtual Kickoff Event
The virtual kickoff event took place via Zoom on Monday, November 9 and was centered on learning how art can inspire a new understanding of hate, injustice, and discrimination. It also featured local creatives doing this work to bring about social change right here in the District!
If you’re a District young person itching for some creative inspiration, or a teacher who wants to empower youth to use their artistic talent for good – watch the recording of the event on facebook: https://bit.ly/36s5JqI
About the Announcement of the 2020-2021 Winners
Join the D.C. Office of Attorney General and Project Create D.C. for a special event that will feature young people, youth organizations, and youth educators as well as an announcement our 2021 Artists v. Hate contest winners. Come inspired and leave with a better understanding of how to promote racial and social justice in schools–whether you're a student or an educator!
Apr 1, 2021 06:00 PM on Zoom. Register at oag.dc.gov/nohate.
About the Curriculum Framework
Teachers and administrators are encouraged to do a learning exercise with students before or after the kickoff event on November 9. Following the kickoff, teachers can support students by carving out time for them to work on their artwork submission and the description explaining their art. Click_here_for_the_learning_exercise.pdf
High School teachers are encouraged to supplement the above learning exercise with the Anti-Defamation league’s Using Art to Explore Injustice and Social Justice curriculum.