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Howard County AAPI Commission 250 Art Contest Application Form

Dear Howard County Students,

Help us celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary! This year the Howard County Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission is looking for student artists (K-12) to celebrate the pride, hard work, and creativity of the AAPI community. Your art should show how AAPI individuals have helped write the story of the country over the last 250 years.

Who are we? The Howard AAPI Commission advocates on issues that affect the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, organizes cultural events, and makes sure AAPI voices are heard by local leaders. The Commission is dedicated to creating a safe place where AAPI residents feel valued and heard in the community.

What can you create? You can share a story about your family, a special community member or celebration, or a moment in history. Your art can show things like:
  • Resilience: How people stay strong during hard times.
  • Tradition: Special customs passed down through families.
  • Belonging: What it feels like to be part of a community.
  • The Future: What "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" looks like going forward.
Who can enter? Only Howard County elementary, middle and high school students (public, private or homeschooled) are eligible to enter. First place winners at each educational level will receive a $100 prize.

How do I enter?
  • Create an original 2-D artwork, like a drawing, a painting, or a photograph. Artwork must be the student’s original work; AI-generated or AI-produced works will not be considered. Tracing or copying from photographs or other artists’ works is not allowed. Do not include copyrighted, trademarked, or branded marks, images or phrases.
  • Complete the entry form below.
  • Submit your original artwork by Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, Maryland, 21046.

If you have questions, need this information in an alternate format, or need accommodations to participate, call the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity at 410-313-6430 (voice/relay) or email aapi@howardcountymd.gov.
1.Student First and Last Name(Required.)
2.Student Contact Email or Phone Number(Required.)
3.Street address, city and zip code(Required.)
4.Parent or Guardian's First and Last Name (complete if applicant is under 18)
5.Parent or Guardian's Phone Number (complete if applicant is under 18)
6.Parent or Guardian's Email Address (complete if applicant is under 18)
7.Current School(Required.)
8.Grade Level(Required.)
9.Title of Artwork(Required.)
10.Why did you choose to participate in the Howard County AAPI Commission 250 Art Contest?(Required.)
11.Describe how your artwork celebrates the AAPI community, and how you incorporated the themes of resilience, tradition, belonging, or the future.(Required.)
12.Are you a high school Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior who'd like to learn more about becoming a High School Commissioner on an Office of Human Rights & Equity Commission? If so, please indicate which commission(s) you're interested in.
13.By checking this box, the applicant (or the applicant's parent or guardian if under 18) agree:

The Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity (OHRE) and the Howard County AAPI Commission (AAPI) may use, reproduce and/or prepare derivative works, publish, distribute copies to the public, and publicly display all submissions, including text and illustrations, and any ancillary material, including (but not limited to) student’s name, contest category, and contest-related photographs and/or videos containing the student’s image and/or voice.

OHRE and AAPI may distribute the submission, including text and illustrations, and any ancillary material through a variety of media, including (but not limited to) print, websites, social media, or any other means. OHRE
and AAPI may also permit a third party to exercise OHRE and AAPI’s rights, including (but not limited to) the right to display or distribute the submission, including text and illustrations, and any ancillary material, in a manner that OHRE and AAPI deem appropriate.

Telephone numbers, physical addresses and email addresses of applicants/entrants will not be made public.

Winning and selected submissions may be displayed in a county government building and other county government locations and through public campaigns.

No compensation beyond those stated in these Rules will be paid by OHRE or AAPI or any of its authorized third parties to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publish, distribute, and/or display publicly the submission, any ancillary material, or artist information, image, or voice as provided for in this agreement.

These terms do not provide rights to OHRE or AAPI or any of its third-party affiliates to make prints of the artwork for sale.

I hereby unconditionally release Howard County (MD) and OHRE, their representatives, employees, contractors, and contractors’ employees, and AAPI from all claims and demands arising out of the activities authorized under this agreement.(Required.)
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