The Art, Poetry and Essay Contest is open to all fourth and fifth graders in the Berkeley Unified School District. Students are invited to express their ideas through art, poetry, or essay. Students may submit work in more than one category. Cash prizes and medals will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony. There are prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Honorable Mention in all three categories for both fourth and fifth graders.
The 2020 AP&E Contest has been canceled. Winners will be announced in May of 2020
ANNUAL JUDGING CRITERIA
The Judges Are Happy To Receive Carefully Produced, Handwritten, Or Typed Work!
ART
- Art should address the theme in a visual context, and may be realistic or imaginative. It may incorporate words, but should be primarily visual.
- Pieces can be no larger than 24 inches by 36 inches.
- Students may use any medium, including watercolor, collage, weaving, crayon, pencil, ink, or paint. Please note: Due to the necessity of moving the artwork for judging and display, three-dimensional models or sculptures will not be accepted.
- The artwork will be judged for originality of design and successful execution.
POETRY
- The poem should address the theme, and may be realistic or imaginative.
- Poems may be up to 30 lines long, and should be written in lines, not paragraphs. The poem need not rhyme. Please keep in mind that award-winning poems will be read aloud before an audience of adults and children, and therefore should not be too long.
- Poems will be judged for originality, fresh and expressive language, imagery, metaphor and coherence.
- Poems should be written or typed neatly, using correct grammar, spelling and punctuation. The beginning letters of lines need not be capitalized.
ESSAYS
- Essays may be narrative, informal, expository, or even persuasive. They may include elements of imagination, or details of historical or cultural significance. The perspective can be personal, or reflect a voice for the larger community or the world.
- The essay should be no more than 300 words—approximately one page, typed and double-spaced. Please keep in mind that award-winning essays will be read aloud to an audience of adults and children, and therefore should not be too long.
- Essays will be judged for creativity, originality, coherence, organization, and expressive language.
- Essays should be neatly written or typed, using correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Please submit finished pieces, NOT rough drafts.
***ALL WORK MUST BE LABELED PROPERLY***
On the BACK of each entry, please include the following:
Student’s name
Student’s grade level
Classroom teacher’s name
School name
Please note, we cannot accept entries without this information. Unlabeled or incorrectly labeled entries may be returned to the school they came from without notice to the classroom teacher.