“Art Connects” virtual contest invites students to submit original artwork, dances, theatre performances, and films

RIVERSIDE - During the first weeks and months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the initial Art Connects virtual competition organized by the Riverside County Office of Education helped students channel their creative energy—leading to more than 1,300 original submissions.

As 2024 gets underway, the virtual student arts competition is back to engage students in elementary and middle schools in five different age divisions and four different categories:

Age Divisions

• Transitional Kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten
• 1^st/2^nd Grades
• 3^rd/4^th Grades
• 5^th/6^th Grades
• 7^th/8^th Grades

Categories

• Art Connects – VISUAL ART

• Submissions now being accepted at: https://go.rcoe.us/ArtConnects2024-art
• January 22 – Submission window closes*
• January 29 – Winners announced

• Art Connects – DANCE
  • February 12 – Submission window opens
• Art Connects – THEATRE
  • March 11 – Submission window opens
• Art Connects – FILM
  • April 8 – Submission window opens

* all submission windows open on first day at 8 a.m. and close on final day at 5 p.m.

The competition is open to all students in grades TK-8 attending public, charter, private, parochial, or home school programs in Riverside County. For each of the four categories, elementary and middle school students can submit their contributions via links on the Art Connects web page.

Submissions can be made by parents/guardians, or by teachers via the Google Form on the Riverside County Office of Education Art Connects web page once the submission windows open for each category. Limits are up to five entries per student, and 10 entries per teacher.

First, second, and third place winners will receive plaques and have their work highlighted on the Riverside County Office of Education website. Certificates will recognize multiple Honorable Mention submissions.

For additional information on Art Connects, or additional arts programs and resources in Riverside County schools, contact Louisa Higgins, Visual and Performing Arts Administrator, Riverside County Office of Education, at lhiggins@rcoe.us.