Calling all afterschool artists!  

We want your artwork for our 2012 Lights On Afterschool poster.  The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2012.  

The winning image will be printed on 70,000 posters displayed nationwide!

Posters are sent to afterschool programs from coast to coast for Lights On Afterschool celebrations.  The artist and/or program will be credited on the poster, and the image will be featured on our website. 

Get inspired:  Learn more about our 2011 poster contest winner Nicole Tanner and check out our  2010 gallery of poster submissions.

Guidelines for creating artwork (download guidelines.pdf): 

• Artwork should be created by youth in afterschool programs.  Youth may collaborate on an entry; please include the names of all contributing artists with the submission. 
   
• Submission should be vertical and made on a 11"x14" piece of paper.  
   
• Bold colors will come out better than light colors.  Use markers, paint, pen—do not use crayons, watercolors, chalks or anything else that could rub off or smear.  Fluorescent markers should be avoided or used sparingly.
   
• The artwork will be scanned into a computer, so please keep that in mind; textures or raised surfaces like glitter or glued-on materials may present a problem.
   
• Because the image will be used to promote Lights On Afterschool events nationally, avoid using a specific program name within the submission.
   
• The artwork or design should generally promote or convey afterschool or Lights On Afterschool.  Both abstract and realistic drawings are welcome.
   
• The posters do not necessarily have to say Lights On Afterschool as we will add text at the bottom.

• Please include the afterschool program name, state and contact information as well as the artist's name and age on the back of the artwork.
   
• Entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2012.  Send to: Afterschool Alliance, 1616 H Street, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20006

Questions? Contact Shaun Gray at 202-347-2030 or sgray@afterschoolalliance.org. 

The winner will be notified by late summer.  If a team of students submits one design, we may need to list just the program due to space constraints.  All images become the property of the Afterschool Alliance to use in promoting Lights On Afterschool and afterschool generally.  Students’ information will not be shared without prior consent.