Printable regulations and entry form packet(PDF, 2MB)
All school-age Mesa residents are eligible to apply
Mesa students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible for the visual arts contest. Mesa students in 4th through 12th grade are eligible for the essay AND visual arts contest. *AU students must reside in Mesa.
All entries must comply with the following contest rules:
- A completed submission form(PDF, 2MB) is required with all submissions.
- Each entry must reflect the student’s own research, writing, and original thinking.
- Entries must be in the form of an essay or fictional story or visual arts (such as video, sketch, painting, scale model, etc.).
- One (1) entry may be submitted by each contestant.
- K-3rd grade students may only submit an art piece.
- Students in 4th through 12th grade may submit either an essay or an art piece.
- All sources must be properly cited.
- Each entry should be no more than 750 words in length (essay), three minutes long (video), or 24” X 36” in size (visual arts project such as painting, sketch, or base size for 3D model).
- Essays may be typed or neatly written.
- The title of the essay, but NOT the author’s name, MUST appear on the top of all pages of the essay. Each visual arts project MUST include a title using an index card, label, or other clear identifier.
- All entries will become property of the Mesa Historic Preservation Board. The Board may reprint the essays in publications, online, or use them at workshops. Appropriate citations will be given to the authors.
- Winning entries will be posted to the Historic Preservation Office website.
Judging
The Mesa Historic Preservation Board will evaluate submissions based on the inclusion of historical information, storytelling skill and artistic expression appropriate for the grade level(s) (K-3, 4-6,& 7-12). The Board will then select the top three winners in each age group and category, considering the overall effectiveness of the story, video, or visual arts project in conveying Mesa's history.
Contest entries will be reviewed at the April Historic Preservation Board meeting, and winning participants will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in May as a part of a special Historic Preservation Month event!