Supporting Justice and Equality in Kansas Schools Just Imagine Justice
Essential Question
What does racial and/or social justice look, sound or feel like to you when you express your feelings through your chosen art form?
Photo/Video
Spoken Word
Music
Visual Arts
Creativity Empowers Justice
Creativity is a powerful tool for social change, and KNEA wants to help amplify the voices of young Kansans and their message through our Student Expression Campaign.
Student Expression Campaign
Are you a student artist who is ready to submit your entry?
Read through the submission details below and then submit your entry.
What is it?
The KNEA Student Expression Campaign encourages young creators to speak their truth on social justice through visual art, music, spoken word, video or photography.
Watch for details coming soon!
Who is it for?
The contest is open to all Kansas public high school students who are in grades 9-12 during the 2026-2027 school year. Each submission must be accompanied by a KNEA Member Sponsor. The sponsoring member does not have to teach in the same school or class as the student. If you need a sponsor, email [email protected].
THANK YOU TO ALL STUDENTS AND SPONSORS
Great artwork elicits emotions of all kinds. Artistic expression is about representing the truth behind the artist’s vision. We hope this contest allows student-artists to express themselves with few restrictions, but there are some boundaries we will enforce. Advocating for justice requires us to acknowledge issues relating to violence and the law. We expect that artwork submitted for this contest may include representations of these issues because issues of violence and the law are often a central theme of racial and social justice. However, no submission will be considered if it – in the opinion of our judges – condones or encourages violence or law breaking. No artwork will be considered if - in the opinion of our judges - representations expressed in the artwork are intended primarily to disparage or denigrate an individual or group or a particular culture, value system or faith system. We will not consider artwork that includes - in the opinion of our judges - vulgar or profane themes. We will report to the authorities the submission of any materials of a threatening nature or which is suspected of violating the law. We will make every attempt to judge submissions anonymously.
RECOGNITION
A panel of judges comprised of KNEA members will select two winners in each of the four categories. First-place winners will receive a $500 cash scholarship and second-place winners will receive a $250 cash scholarship. All winners will also have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2026 KNEA Representative Assembly.
