Student Expression Campaign

We’re Excited to See Your Creativity in Action!

Thank you for your interest in the Imagine Justice Student Expression Campaign. We believe in the power of student voices to inspire change, and we’re thrilled to see your ideas come to life.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Fill out the Get Involved form with your name and email address.
  2. We’ll send you a link to the submission page, along with all the details you need.

Important Dates to Remember:

  • Submission Deadline: Monday, March 31
  • Winner Announcement: Monday, May 12

If you have any questions, please submit your information through the same form, and we’ll get in touch with you.

We look forward to receiving your creative work!

What is it?​

The TEA Student Expression Campaign encourages young creators to speak their truth on social justice through visual art, music, spoken word, and video or photography.

Who is it for?​

The contest is open to all Tennessee public high school students who are in grades 9-12 during the 2024/25 school year. Each submission must be accompanied by a TEA Member Sponsor. The sponsoring member does not have to teach in the same school or class as the student.

Essential Question

What does racial and / or social justice look, sound, or feel like to you when you express your feelings through your chosen art form?

Visual Arts

Any kind of artform seen with the human eye.

Music

Any song, instrumental, or other kind of musical artform.

Spoken Word

Any script or monologue, such as poetry, verse, speech, or creative writing, submitted as audio or video.

Photo/Video

Any type of performance, short film, animation, music video, or other artistic digital content.

Find a TEA Member Sponsor

Need help finding a TEA member to sponsor your entry?

Use the form to find one in your school district.

A TEA member could be your teacher, counselor, or other faculty member.

Thank You to All Students and Sponsors

Great artwork elicits emotions of all kinds. Artistic expression is about representing the truth behind the artist’s vision. We hope this contest allows student-artists to express themselves with few restrictions, but there are some boundaries we will enforce. Advocating for justice requires us to acknowledge issues relating to violence and the law. We expect that artwork submitted for this contest may include representations of these issues because issues of violence and the law are often a central theme of racial and social justice. However, no submission will be considered if it – in the opinion of our judges – condones or encourages violence or law breaking, period. No artwork will be considered if- in the opinion of our judges- representations expressed in the artwork are intended primarily to disparage or denigrate an individual or group or a particular culture, value system or faith system. We will not consider artwork that includes- in the opinion of our judges- vulgar or profane themes. We will report to the authorities the submission of any materials of a threatening nature or which is suspected of violating the law. We will make every attempt to judge submissions anonymously.

Recognition

A panel of judges comprised of TEA members will select two winners in each of the four categories. First place winners will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship and second place winners will receive a $500 cash scholarship. All winners will also have the opportunity to be recognized at the 2025 Summer Leadership Academy.

Get Involved

Help us support justice and equality for all Tennessee students and educators.