The annual Armed Services YMCA Art & Essay Contest gives military children a voice. It also serves as reminder of the sacrifices military children, service members and their families make for our country.
The 2021 annual contest submission period opens January 21, and runs through March 31. Winners will be announced at the end of April in honor of the Month of the Military Child. Entries may be submitted from military children living in the U.S. and abroad.
2021 Theme: “How has COVID-19 impacted me and my military family?”
Art Contest
The art contest promotes art among military children in grades 1–6 of active duty or retired (with 20+ years of service) members of the Armed Services and National Guard/Reserves.
Essay Contest
The contest encourages military children to use creative writing to express themselves. The essay contest is open to military children in grades 1–12 of active duty or retired (with 20+ years of service) members of the Armed Services and National Guard/Reserves.
Reminder: All artwork and essays become the property of the Armed Services YMCA.
The Art and Essay contest is open to children of currently serving military (active duty, National Guard, or reserves) and retired service members (with 20+ years of service).
Artwork submissions are limited to children in grades 1 through 6.
Essay submissions are open to children in grades 1 through 12.
For 2021, the ASYMCA is using an online submission process. Eligible participants can click the link to "Submit an Entry." The entry form is in two parts: the first part collects the child's information and includes a button to upload their submission; the second part collects information about their military sponsor.
For artwork, you can upload a pdf, png, or jpeg file.
For essays, you can upload .doc, .docx, .rtf, or .txt files.
Art Winners
Essay Winners
Congratulations to all of our winners!