BE PART OF THE ARTISTS’ REFERENDUM IN SUPPORT OF OUR NATIONAL STATE AND LOCAL PARK SYSTEMS.
Entering our Arts For The Parks 2007 Online Competition will not only make you eligible for one of the most prestigious art competitions in the country but will also cast a vote for increased funding at every level of our park system.
Our goal is to obtain 1,000 entries by November 30, 2007 to show Congress and local politicians how we artists feel about our parks. (The actual list will only show your last name and state of residence. We won’t give out any other personal information.)
All submissions are made online and filling out the Online Entry Form only takes a minute.
YOUR ENTRY IS FREE!
Our Park System is the most tangible and uniquely American expression of our national character and values. From Yellowstone to Gettysburg, from the Everglades to the Golden Gate, our parks portray some of the nation’s highest peaks, deepest gorges and most hallowed expressions of democracy. But for how much longer? The National Park System is just nine years shy of its 100th anniversary and chronic underfunding has taken a toll, leading to disrepair, a shortage of rangers and too few educational programs, not only in the National Parks but in our State and Local parks, too. Here are a few examples: Texas, California, Oklahoma, New York.
Our parks need you!
And now there’s a tangible, fun way to help protect our national and local treasures.
Tangible, because our goal is to have 1,000 artists submit traditional, digital, or photographic art as an expression to politicians of our overwhelming support for the nation’s parks. Our deadline for entries is November 30, 2007.
Fun, because the Arts For The Parks Competition has been one of the most prestigious art competitions in the world and the Grand Prize Winner, Silver Medalists and Bronze Medalists will enjoy not only cash awards but have their art promoted through the sale of limited edition prints and publicized in broadcast, print and online media. Winners and Top 100 selectees may be displayed in year long ‘mini’ exhibitions available to local galleries and salons across the country.
A portion of revenues generated from the sale of prints will be donated to our non-profit 502(c)3 Beneficiary, the National Park Conservation Alliance AND the specific park depicted by YOU in your artwork.
Medalists, Top 100 selectees and Special Category Winners will also benefit from the sale of cards, calendars and other memorabilia commemorating this event. WE’VE WAIVED THE NORMAL ENTRY FEE OF $40 FOR THIS SPECIAL COMPETITION. YOUR ENTRY IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Make your voice heard! Pass this on to others who share your interests by asking them to enter, too. Contact your Patrons, Subscribers, Fellow Bloggers and the whole community of your friends.
As a Contest Entrant, you’ll be taking action to save our parks. Entering only takes a minute. Simply fill out the Online Entry Form.
Cast a vote for our parks and help make Arts For The Parks 2007 a success at the same time. Come on Artists. We can do this!
On behalf of the National Parks Conservation Association, we greatly appreciate the support of Arts for the Parks, and all of the talented artists entering the competition and bringing attention to our most treasured places.
Thank you for designating NPCA a beneficiary of this terrific competition. Just to clarify, NPCA is a 501(c)3 — a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that, since 1919, has been the leading voice of the American people in protecting and enhancing the National Park System’s superlative examples of America’s natural, cultural, and historic heritage.
NPCA works on the ground, in and around our national parks, conducting research, and working hand-in-hand with park staff, community leaders, park advocates, and state and federal legislators to ensure that our parks are well funded and well managed, and fully protected.
Thank you again for your terrific support for America’s treasures.
Thanks very much Andrea. It’s only fair. All we artists and photographers spend a lot of time painting and photographing the parks. We’re grateful that they’re available to us and disappointed when exhibits, attractions and trails aren’t maintained because of lack of funding. This decline puts pressure on park fees. We don’t think it’s in keeping with the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt to have to charge, say for example, $200 to take a child to see what should be his birthright.
Thanks for the great comment. Very much appreciated.