The Our First Amendment Freedoms Art & Essay Contest is an annual competition for students in grades K-12. The contest is sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and promoting civil rights and social justice. The purpose of the contest is to encourage young people to reflect on the importance of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly, and petition. The contest offers an opportunity for students to express their views on these important issues and to develop their creativity, research, and critical thinking skills.
Students can participate in two different categories: the essay category or the art category. The essay category requires students to write a 300-500 word essay on a given topic related to the First Amendment. The art category requires students to create an original work of art that expresses their understanding of one or more of the freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
