NEW at Your Global Future!
The arts are an essential part of building civic engagement and community cultural health, as well as individual identity and wellness. And here in Kansas City, we know that the arts are dynamic, vibrant, and diverse. In honor of Kansas City youth’s boundless creativity, the International Relations Council invites high school students to use art as the conduit to investigate and express themselves through international topics.
On Tuesday, October 17, student works and words will be on display at Your Global Future College & Career Fair for the community to celebrate. One first place winner from both the art and written categories will win a $250 prize. Check out more important information below.
Registration Required. Final deadline for drop-off, mail, and email admissions is Friday, October 6.
2023 Prompt
Considering one international event or issue, use art or written word to depict how humans are
working together to be resilient and create positive change in the world.
Example topics:
Students should choose a unique theme that relates to the above prompt and is of academic interest to them. Creativity is encouraged!
The ideas provided below can serve as example themes.
- Fiji’s Innovative Relocation Plan for Climate Displacement
- Locally-led Development and Peacebuilding in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park
- United Nations Supports AI Startup For Peace Agreements Between Yemen and Libya
- Human Rights Considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City
- Combating Global Sanitation Challenges through Community Led Latrine Projects
- Resilience and Entrepreneurship in Refugee Camps Around the World
- Citizen Science Protects Fishing in the Amazon
- Harnessing Sun and Sea to Create Region-wide Desalinated Water and Energy Security for Partners in the Middle East
Rules and Regulations:
- Participants must be actively enrolled in grades 9-12 at a Your Global Future high school
- Entry is limited to one submission per student
- Art must be two-dimensional
- All works must be made on, or formatted to fit on 11″x 17″ paper
- Works will be placed in 11″ x 17″ protective plastic sleeve for exhibition
- Essays and poems must not exceed 500 words
- All works must be original
- All works must address prompt
- All submissions must include title, name of student, contact number, school, and grade on back of submission, or in email
- Creators can include an Artist Statement (100 word max) along with their works. This Artist Statement will be included in the digital exhibition.
- Artist Statement Resource
- All works must be submitted to the IRC through drop-off, the mail, or scanned and emailed to IRC by October 6
- Drop-Offs will be accepted at Union Station – 30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 201 Kansas City, MO 64108
- Saturday, September 23 from 12pm to 2pm
- Saturday, September 30 from 12pm to 2pm
- Mail: 30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 201 Kansas City, MO 64108
- Email: cthomas@irckc.org
- Drop-Offs will be accepted at Union Station – 30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 201 Kansas City, MO 64108
Important Notes:
- Participation is FREE
- Registration is required
- Submissions that do not follow the specified rules and regulations may be subject to disqualification
- IRC is not responsible for damaged art if the submission is sent through the mail
- Students will not be penalized during judging for damage incurred in the shipping process
- In submitting work, the student consents to share art and words in IRC marketing
- Priority display will be given to students present at Your Global Future and seniors
- All submissions will be entered into contest and featured in digital gallery
- After Your Global Future, art can be retrieved by the artist at IRC offices in Union Station
Please contact Chloe Thomas, Global Education Coordinator, with any questions!
Prize
One student in each of the Art and Written categories will be selected to receive a $250 prize. Winners will be selected by the Judging Committee – composed of industry experts and the IRC Education Committee – based on merit, adherence to prompt, and creativity. Winners will be notified in December and sent a check.