America 250 in Liberty Student Contests

Theme: “What Does Liberty Mean to You?”

In celebration of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, the City of Liberty invites local students in grades 6–12 to participate in a community-wide celebration of creativity and civic pride. Students may enter the Art Contest, the Essay Contest, or both, exploring the theme “What Does Liberty Mean to You?”

Eligibility

• Open to all public, private, and homeschooled students in grades 6–12 who reside in or attend school within the City of Liberty or the Liberty Public School District boundaries.
• Students may submit one entry per contest category (Art and Essay).

Art Contest Guidelines

Theme: What Does Liberty Mean to You?

Students are encouraged to express the concept of liberty—personal, historical, or community-focused—through visual art.

Accepted Media:

• Drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, mixed media, or digital art
• No photography or AI-generated art permitted

Specifications:

• Artwork must be original and created by the student.
• Size limit: maximum 18” x 24” 
• Digital art must be printed on quality paper or board for display (not submitted electronically).
• All artwork must be ready to hang in a gallery – either framed or with a bracket attached to the back of the canvas
• Attach a label to the back with:
  • Student’s name
  • Grade level
  • School name
  • Title of artwork
  • Short artist statement (2–3 sentences) describing how the work reflects the theme

Judging Criteria:

• Creativity and originality
• Connection to theme
• Artistic technique and presentation
• Overall impact

Essay Contest Guidelines

Theme: What Does Liberty Mean to You?

Students are invited to reflect on the meaning of liberty in their own lives, in the Liberty community, or in the broader context of American ideals.

Essay Requirements:

• Length:
  • Grades 6–8: 300–500 words
  • Grades 9–12: 500–750 words
• Typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font
• Include a title and proper heading (student’s name, grade, and school)
• Essays must be original, unpublished work written by the student
• Quotations or references (if used) must be properly cited

Judging Criteria:

• Clarity of ideas and organization
• Originality and creativity in interpretation of theme
• Grammar, spelling, and mechanics
• Emotional or intellectual impact

Judging

• Judging for each contest will be conducted in three grade divisions:
  • Grades 6–8
  • Grades 9–10
  • Grades 11–12
• The Liberty City Council and City staff will review and judge all submissions.

Awards and Recognition

Prizes will be awarded in each grade division for both the Art Contest and Essay Contest as follows:

• 1st Place: $500
• 2nd Place: $300
• 3rd Place: $100

Recognition and Display:

• Winning essays will be published online at www.visitlibertymo.com/America250.
• A curated selection of submitted artwork will be displayed in a gallery at Liberty City Hall for two months following the close of the contest.
• All winners will also be recognized during a City of Liberty Council meeting as part of the America 250 community celebration.

Submission Information

• Entries must be received by March 31, 2026.
• Each submission must include a completed entry form with the student’s name, phone number and email address (to be used for notification of winners) and contact information for a parent or guardian. 
  
  
• Submit art entries to 
  City of Liberty PR Department
  101 E Kansas St, Liberty MO 64068
  • Please note that art entries must be ready to hang in a display gallery. 
• Submit essays online here as a PDF.  

Important Dates

• Contest Opens: January 1, 2026
• Entry Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Winners Announced: No later than April 30, 2026
• Recognition Ceremony & Exhibit Opening: Date TBD, Early May 2026
• Art Submissions Gallery on Display: May, June and July

Contact

For questions or to obtain entry forms, visit www.visitlibertymo.com/America250 or contact Claire Rodgers, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Communications, crodgers@libertymo.gov