Children 5-12 eligible for citizenship art contest

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (Press Release)–U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has commissioned an art project for children across the United States to create images depicting their interpretation of the theme, “We Are America.”

This project asks children to draw pictures that answer the question “People have come from all over the world to become Americans. Why does that make us great?” USCIS will collaborate on this project with public libraries and other community-based organizations serving America’s immigrant communities this summer. USCIS will display submissions in offices across the country and will recognize participants during the 2010 celebration of the “September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.” 

To obtain a submission form, children may either stop by the nearest USCIS office or print one from the USCIS website.

To participate in the project, children must be between 5-12 years of age as of Sept. 11, 2010.

All art submissions must be:

  • On 8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17 inch paper in any medium including: paint, crayons, markers, colored pencils or collage
  • Accompanied by a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) that explains how the picture relates to the project theme, “We Are America” and answers the question “People have come from all over the world to become Americans. Why does that make us great?”
  • Submitted  to USCIS from June 12, 2010 to Aug. 16, 2010

If you are unable to obtain the official submission form, you may send your art to any USCIS field office in the United States, via mail, accompanied with the following information:

  • Artist Name
  • Age
  • Birth Date
  • Phone
  • Email (optional)
  • Street Address (optional)
  • City/State/Zip
  • Name(s) and signature of parents or guardian
  • Are your parents or other family members employees of USCIS?
  • How did you hear about this project?

Please note that USCIS will be unable to return submissions; they will become property of USCIS. Artwork will be displayed at USCIS Headquarters in Washington D.C., in USCIS offices nationwide and a select number of submissions will be posted.

You can mail or drop off submissions at your local USCIS office. To find the address of your local office please visit our website  or call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. You must address all mailed entries to the “USCIS National Children’s Art Project.”

Mailed entries should be postmarked no later than Aug. 16.

For questions or inquiries about the USCIS National Children’s Art Project please email USCISartproject@dhs.gov.   

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Preceding provided by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services