Baltimore Ravens Black History Month Visual Art & Essay Contest

The Baltimore Ravens are proud to announce the new Black History Month Visual Art & Essay Contest.

This year's theme is "Harlem Renaissance." Students are encouraged to submit an original essay or piece of art that explores the cultural, artistic, literary, and intellectual contributions of the Black community during the Harlem Renaissance and their lasting impact on society today. Submissions may highlight influential writers, artists, musicians, performers, thinkers, or movements that helped define the Harlem Renaissance and reshaped Black identity, creativity, and expression in America. The impact of these contributions may be inspiring, challenging, educational, or anything that sparks emotion, reflection, and deeper understanding of this transformative period in history. 

This contest is open to all middle and high school students in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. 

Essays and artwork must be the author's original, unpublished work.

Students should not submit both an essay and piece of art. Only one category will be accepted as a submission.

All entries are due on February 27, 2026, and eight total winners (four grand prizes, four runners-up) will be identified by the end of the month. 

Details:

• Essays should be between 250–500 words.
• Artwork must be a drawing, painting, or other two-dimensional mixed media piece and measure no more than 40 inches in any direction. (Animation, graphic design, film, photography, sculpture, printmaking, or other three-dimensional works will not be accepted.)
• All artwork must be accompanied by an abstract that includes a description of the piece and its connection to the theme. (Word count is flexible.)
• There are two divisions: Middle School (Grades 6–8) & High School (Grades 9–12)
• One grand prize winner and one runner-up will be selected from each division and category.
• Submissions must be uploaded as an attachment to BaltimoreRavens.com/BlackHistoryMonth no later than Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
• One project per submission. All projects must be submitted individually for consideration. Submit either an essay or a piece of art, not both. 

A panel of judges from the Baltimore Ravens will review the essays and artwork.  

Rules:  

Essays

The Panel will judge and "score" each eligible entry by assigning a point value for each of the following, respective criteria: (a) degree to which the student applied the theme (0-5 pts); (b) degree to which the chosen subject has impacted society (0-5 pts); (c) originality of the essay (0-5 pts); and (d) literary style and grammar (0-5 pts).

Artwork

The Panel will judge and "score" each eligible entry by assigning a point value for each of the following, respective criteria: (a) creativity and originality (0-5 pts); (b) technique, materials, and tool use (0-5 pts); (c) adherence to theme (0-5 pts); and (d) polish and presentation (0-5 pts).

Prizes: 

Grand Prize (4 total: 2 High School, 2 Middle School Winners):

• Invitation to a 2026 Baltimore Ravens Training Camp practice
• One (1) $50 Fanatics Gift Card
• One (1) Ravens Jersey

Runner-Up (4 total: 2 High School, 2 Middle School Winners):

• Invitation to a 2026 Baltimore Ravens Training Camp practice
• One (1) $25 Fanatics Gift Card
• Ravens Swag

All Submissions: All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion/Participation.