Skip to main content
Press Release

USDA Seeks American Indian Artist Submissions for Heritage Month Poster Contest

American Indian artists residing in Rhode Island invited to submit original artwork depicting “Facing East, Where Land Meets Water.”
Publish Date
2003 American Indian Heritage Month poster - Skywoman - Moment in Flight

NRCS in Rhode Island is honored to be working with area tribes to create and distribute the agency’s national 2024 American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage Month Poster, with original artwork created by an American Indian artist, to celebrate American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage Month.

2023 American Indian Alaska Native Heritage Month poster - Indigenous Spirit

American Indian artists residing in Rhode Island are invited to submit original artwork that portrays the artist’s interpretation of American Indian/ Alaska Native culture and heritage, keeping in mind the theme selected to inspire this year’s artwork, “Facing East, Where Land Meets Water.”

The theme was selected to honor the indigenous peoples whose homelands and ancestral territories reside in the coastal northeast.

“This will be a great public awareness opportunity for the selected artist and our local Tribal nations,” said NRCS Rhode Island State Conservationist, Phou Vongkhamdy. “Copies of the poster will be distributed for display to all NRCS offices in all 50 states and territories.”

Rules

  • Only American Indian artists who are enrolled citizens of a Federally Recognized Tribe and who reside in Rhode Island may submit their artwork for the poster.
  • Artists may submit up to 3 original artworks, but only one piece of artwork will be selected for the poster.
2022 AIANHM Poster-Large
  • The winning artist will receive $2,000 for their artwork.
  • NRCS has the right to reproduce and distribute copies of the artwork at its discretion.
  • The artwork is to be an original, size 18” x 24”, in acrylic, oil, or watercolor on canvas; silk screen print (serigraph); or multi-media artwork.
  • A written narrative and title of the artwork must be included with each entry.
  • Artwork will be judged on creativity and originality related to the heritage of American Indians/ Alaska Natives and the theme.

Instructions

  • Artwork submissions are due to NRCS Rhode Island by August 31, 2024.
  • All artists must email a high-quality digital photo of their artwork, with the title and narrative, to julie.wright@usda.gov.
  • The winning artist will mail the original artwork to:

USDA-NRCS Rhode Island State Office
ATTN: Julie Wright
60 Quaker Lane, Suite 40
Warwick, RI 02886

2020 NRCS AIH poster

Timeline

  • The artwork will be judged between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14, 2024.
  • The winning artist will be notified Sept. 15, 2024.
  • The original artwork will then be digitized and included in a USDA-NRCS printed poster, which will include the artwork’s title, narrative, and artist information.
  • The artwork will be printed and distributed to NRCS offices across the nation in October, in time to celebrate the 2024 American Indian/ Alaska Native Heritage Month in November!

NRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with conservation districts and the people of Rhode Island to improve and protect soil, water, air, plants, animals and other natural resources. For more info, contact your Rhode Island NRCS at 401-828-1300 or visit www.RI.nrcs.usda.gov.

# # #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Contact