Preserve Our Past 

Deadlines for submitting artwork and essays for the Preserve Our Past Art & Essay Invitational will be April 15, 2025.  Winners will be announced in May, and pieces will be on display during the summer months.  If you have any questions, please contact the AHPP Education Coordinator.

Since 1991, the annual Preserve Our Past Art & Essay Invitational celebrates May’s National Historic Preservation Month. The contest teaches students about local and state history and fosters an interest in preserving historic places. Winning entries will be exhibited at Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock during May, June, July and August. The contest is open to all Arkansas 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Submissions must relate to a historic Arkansas property that is 50 years old or older. The contest opens Jan. 1, 2025.

PRESERVE OUR PAST

 

GENERAL GUIDELINES & ENTRY FORM

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Essay Submissions

Instructions and Guidelines

  • Each essay should be original and no longer than 500 words.
  • The essay should focus on a historic site somewhere in the state of Arkansas.
  • Essay should be typed, double spaced.
  • Your essay should be on white 8.5 x 11" standard paper.
  • Your name should not appear on the front of the essay.
  • The essay should include a title.
  • Below title indicate the location of the historic site you are writing about.
  • Each essay's spelling and grammar will factor into the judging of the piece.
  • Essays do not have to be a typical five-paragraph enumeration or straight history of a property.
  • Creativity and imagination are encouraged. However, the contest does not accept pieces that are pure fiction or refer to a fictional property.
  • If a student is using sources, it’s customary to include a bibliography listing them. Students may enter essays via hard copy or email to the AHPP Education Coordinator. 

On the BACK of the essay include the following clearly written or typed:

  • Full name of student
  • Grade of student
  • School (or home school)
  • Name of piece
  • Title of work of art
  • Home address
  • Contact phone number
  • Contact email address

 

Artwork Submissions

Instructions and Guidelines

  • Artwork should be original.
  • Pieces must focus on a historic site somewhere in the state of Arkansas.
  • Pieces should be 11x14 inches in size, no larger or smaller.
  • Pieces should be on paper.
  • Pieces should be done in pen and ink, charcoal, colored pencil, acrylic paint, pastels, or any other medium that works on paper.
  • Oil paint and canvases are not permitted.
  • Collage or other approaches are permitted, so long as all parts are created by the student, and the whole art piece can be framed.
  • It must be possible to frame your art piece in a standard 11x14 inch frame.
  • Your work should be submitted in a large envelope (do not fold).
  • Art pieces CANNOT be entered online or via email.

On the BACK of the essay include the following clearly written or typed:

  • Full name of student
  • Grade of student
  • School (or home school)
  • Name of piece
  • Title of work of art
  • Home address
  • Contact phone number
  • Contact email address

 

Judging and Prizes

Entries are judged by a rotating board of AHPP staff members on creativity of execution, topic selection, accuracy, and general aesthetic factors. Prizes in each category include:

  • All participating students will receive a certificate.
  • First, second and third place winners receive a trophy and a certificate.
  • Two honorable mentions in each category will receive a ribbon and a certificate.
  • Winning artwork will also be framed and displayed at the Historic Arkansas Museum during the months of May, June, July and August, as well as published on the AHPP website.