Have you always wanted to have your art on exhibit? This spring, in partnership with Greenfield Community, Hancock Health and Healthy365, we are hosting a kids’ art competition! Children aged 5-18 from around Hancock County are encouraged to enter their unique art into the contest.

The winning artist submissions will be on long-term display in a common area of Hancock Regional Hospital and at the Healthy365 Connection Center. “We are excited to display the artwork of our youngest community residents,” says Hancock Health CEO Steve Long. “It is a cheerful symbol of hope that both our staff and patients could use at this time.”

Community theme

The themes for this art contest are community, kindness and unity. Entries should explore each artist’s thoughts, emotions and ideas about Hancock County, Indiana, and how we incorporate kindness into our community. The possibilities are endless! 

“Everyone has mental health,” said Healthy365 Director of Community Health Improvement Amanda Everidge. “Everyone expresses themselves and copes with things like stress and anxiety in different ways. Art is a great example of expressing yourself and can be used as an effective coping skill for people of all ages. At Healthy365, we encourage everyone to break the stigma around mental health. This year’s theme around community, kindness and unity is very fitting and we are excited to be a part of the art contest.”

Contest rules

Artists must reside in Hancock County, Indiana. Submissions may be no larger than 11″ x 14.” Art may be on canvas or sketch paper and use paint, ink, crayon, pencil, marker, digital formats or texture. One single submission is allowed per student. 

The back of the art piece must include the artist’s name, grade and guardian’s contact information. Additionally, an entry submission form must be filled out by the artist’s guardian, available when your entry is dropped off at the Healthy365 Connection Center (120 W. McKenzie Rd., Suite G).

Judging of entries

There will be an overall winning entry, along with second- and third-place winners for each of the six age group categories, with a panel of judges from the Leadership Hancock County program, featuring distinguished leaders from organizations around the county.

“Being a good leader takes creativity and courage, among many other skills,” said Leadership Hancock County Coordinator Jason Wells. “LHC is proud and encouraged by the creativity and courage shown by the youth in Hancock County. We are honored to be part of the Art Contest and excited to experience the creativity shown by our future leaders.”

Age group categories will be divided by grade level: kindergarten-second grade, third-fourth grade, fifth-sixth grade, seventh-eighth grade, freshman-sophomore and junior-senior. Judging will be based on three criteria: execution, uniqueness and artistry of concept. Additionally, there will be a Greenfield Community Readers’ Choice winner conducted via a poll on a Facebook post in April featuring snapshots of the top 15 artwork entries. 

Art contest prizes

Winners of the art contest will receive art supply baskets along with a cash prize, and if a winning piece is submitted through a local Hancock County art teacher, a special $500 supply grant will be awarded to that teacher as well. 

How to submit your entry

Art submissions may be dropped off at the Healthy365 Connection Center, located at 120 W. McKenzie Rd., Suite G in Greenfield, open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the contest ends on March 30, 2022. Winners will be notified by April 15 and invited to a future celebration featuring the unveiling of the art installation at Hancock Regional Hospital.

The back of the art piece must include artist’s name, grade and guardian’s contact info. An entry submission form also must be filled out by artist’s guardian when you submit your entry at Healthy365 (120 W. McKenzie Rd., Suite G, in Greenfield), M-F 9 a.m.-4 p.m. by March 30, 2022!