The State Library of Kansas recently announced a statewide art contest, which will be featured alongside the Kansas Notable Books and Kansas Great Reads selection, celebrating outstanding works that showcase the diverse talent and creativity of Kansans. Artists must be current residents of the state to participate.
The contest is open to three categories which include K-12 Youth, 18+ Adult and Librarians. Submissions will be accepted through February 28, 2024.
To be considered, art must be formatted in 2D to fit a 6x2 inch bookmark, in either landscape or portrait orientation; be submitted by a Kansan and attributed to the correct contest category; be the original artwork of the contestant, completed within 3 years and include contact information attached to the artwork, either on the template or in the file name. If submitting as a classroom or other youth group, please ensure guardians give consent for the identification of minor(s).
There are no fees to enter or participate. Artwork may be disqualified if deemed inappropriate for the public at the State Library’s discretion. Only one submission per person is allowed. Submission does not guarantee display or use of artwork, however the State Library reserves the right to use any submitted artwork in promotion of the contest, Center for the Book, or other library programming. Materials physically submitted to the library will not be returned.
A printable template suitable for all ages has been uploaded at https://kslib. info/1104/How-to-Submita- Book. Posters and social media images can also be found there to promote the contest for the community.
Top designs will be selected by a committee, with those rated in the top three of their group to receive recognition on the State Library’s official website, social media platforms and press releases. The top design in each category will be prominently featured on the official bookmarks distributed statewide to libraries, bookstores and readers.
Entries may be submitted online at the website noted above or mailed to KS Notable Bookmark c/o State Library, 300 SW 10th Street Room 312N, Topeka, KS 66612.
Recommendations for a book for the Kansas Notable Books program are also open to the public at the same website. To be considered for selection, books must be either set in Kansas or written by a Kansan; be of high quality in research and writing and have strong current interest or wide audience appeal; e published in the calendar year prior to the award year. Revised editions and updates of previously published works are not eligible. (For instance, books published/copyrighted 2014 are considered for the 2015 awards). Entries must also be received enough for complete review by the committee. Early submission is encouraged. Due to the amount of time necessary to consider each title, the committee may not have sufficient time to review books received after January 31. Advance review copies will be accepted. There are no additional requirements, application fees, or other restrictions for submissions, nominations, or recommendations to the selection committee. All genres are accepted from nonfiction to fiction to poetry, from children to adult titles. Any publisher, author, or interested person who wishes to submit books or titles for review is encouraged to do so. There is no limit on the number of titles accepted from any publisher or author, except that no pre-publication manuscripts will be accepted. Submission does not guarantee a place on the awards list.
For questions or more information, contact the Kansas Notable Books Coordinator Wulf Roby at [email protected] or call 785-296-3689.
