Once again this year, Latino Art Beat will team up with the Office on Latino Affairs (OLA) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) to launch this year’s competition in Washington, DC. “This competition serves to celebrate the extraordinary talent of our youth while allowing them an opportunity to express the great pride they have in their own culture”, commented OLA Director, Mercedes Lemp.

The competition is open to all currently enrolled District of Columbia area High School students in grades 11-12. Only high school juniors and seniors may qualify to be judged for scholarship awards.

Artwork must be ready for display, matted and reinforced on the back with cardboard or mounted on black or white board. All canvas entries must be stretched and mounted to a wood stretcher. Maximum size: 30”x36”.
NEW: A short essay describing each competition entry must be included.

Categories:
1. Drawing & Painting: Theme: “What Hispanic Heritage and Culture Means to Me!”
2. Film & Animation: Theme A. "My Life" or B. Narratives.

All scholarships, monetary prizes, and award certificates will be presented to the winners at the District of Columbia / Latino Art Beat Awards Ceremony to be held during Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15, 2009). This year's event will be announced by the District of Columbia Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (“OLA”). June 2009 graduating seniors will be advised of their scholarship awards in advance of the awards presentation and in advance of the fall semester. Any such scholarships granted are conditional upon the student BEING ACCEPTED by the student's college or university of choice as meeting their ENTRY REQUIREMENTS. Contestants should apply to the college or university of their choice as early as possible.

DRAWING & PAINTING- Advanced Level
AWARDS: 1st Place - $1,000; 2nd Place - $750 and 3rd Place - $500

FILM & ANIMATION - National Winner / AWARD: $500 (minimum)

Additional awards may be granted winning students, after high school graduation, who chose to attend and meet the entry requirements of one of Latino Art Beats academic partners. The D.C. 2007 1st Place winner, Rykeyn Bailey was awarded a renewable $10,000 per annum scholarship through the Columbia College Chicago / Latino Art Beat scholarship partnership. From all the regional winners a national winner will be selected, who will receive a negotiated additional scholarship award. The 2008 national winner, Francisco Gabuardi of New World School of the Arts, Miami received a $1,000 cash scholarship from NORDSTROM and will receive a $60,000 tuition scholarship, allocated over four years, to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art, his college of choice. This substantial award is being provided through the Maryland Institute College of Art/Latino Art Beat scholarship partnership.

Competition entries should be delivered to any of the following locations on or before June 5, 2009:

Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs,
2000 14th St., N.W., 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Attn: Mercedes Lemp, Telephone: (202) 671-2825

District of Columbia Public Schools, Office of Bilingual Education, Garrison
ES, 1200 S St. NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Attn: Mr. Arnoldo Ramos,Telephone: (202) 671-0750

Latin American Youth Center Art & Media House
3035 15th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20009
Attn: Ronald Chacon, Telephone: (202) 319-7312

For Official Rules, Guidelines and Entry Form*