McLean Community Center Youth Ambassadors High School Visual Art & Writing Competition

Freedom Through My Eyes
Commemorating America's 250

The McLean Community Center Youth Ambassadors invite local high school students to participate in a Visual Art & Writing Competition exploring the theme Freedom Through My Eyes. This competition is open to students in grade 9-12 who reside in or attend school within the MCC tax district. Students are asked to reflect on what freedom, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, means to them today.

Submission Categories & Guidelines

Prompt: Freedom Through My Eyes

Visual Art
  1. Two-dimensional artwork, using any medium
  2. Size: 11" x 14" or 8" x 10"
  3. Artwork will be matted by MCC for display
Writing
  1. Up to 600 words
  2. All genres accepted (poetry, essay, creative writing, etc.)
  3. Calibri, 12-point font, double-spaced
  4. Submit as a PDF with a cover page including contact information

Restrictions: Use of AI is not permitted. Submissions that do not follow guidelines will not be judged or published.

Submission Deadline

Friday, March 13, 2026, by 5 p.m.

How to Submit
  1. Visual Art: Drop off at the McLean Community Center front desk, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA 22101. Artists complete a contact form at drop-off.
  2. Writing: Email PDF submissions to programs@mcleancenter.org with the subject line: MCC Youth Ambassador Art & Writing Competition

Written pieces must be submitted in PDF format with a cover page that includes the author’s name, age, grade, school, phone  number, home address and email address.  Submissions without all the above information will not be considered.

Awards & Jury

Entries will be judged separately in Visual Art and Writing by panels including MCC leadership and local educators.

Awards (per category):
  1. 1st Place: $150
  2. 2nd Place: $100
  3. 3rd Place: $50

Certificates awarded to all participants

Showcase

Art Installation

Artwork will be exhibited in the MCC hallways in Spring 2026.

Written Work

Written pieces will be published in a printed anthology to be shared at the Freedom Through My Eyes reception.

Reception & Recognition

Date and Time T.B.D. | McLean Community Center

Reception with light refreshments will provide opportunity to view the art installation and receive the printed anthology of written works. Award recipients will be recognized.

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