How to Participate/Guidelines for All Submissions

• Register to participate.
• Be creative in your own way in your unique voice (art, writing, song, spoken word etc)! Reflect on these questions to inspire you:
  • What is your vision of a world without youth prisons?
  • Do you have a story you would like to share of harsh or unfair discipline practices or policies at school? What do you think should change?
  • What is your vision of what kids need, how we should spend money on them, or how we can better support them?
• Each youth can submit only one entry in each category (art, writing, or performance) for a total of three submissions.
• Include your full name, age, and contact information, such as phone and email directly on your submission/s. The registration form will also ask for this information and additional information.
• Please take into consideration your submission will NOT be returned so please make copies and/or take photographs of your work before sending.
• FFLIC is a diverse and inclusive community. We expressly invite submissions from Louisiana's incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth, Black, Indigenous, and youth of color. We believe in centering the experiences of Louisiana’s most vulnerable youth, including Black youth at its intersections—Indigenous Black youth, Afro-Latine youth, LGBTQ youth, womxn, disabled youth, and incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth.
• Send your submission. THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M., FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2021. Email the submissions to [email protected] or mail or deliver (during normal business hours) your submissions to our office at:  1307 ORETHA C. HALEY BLVD.  #304, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70113

Additional Specific Guidelines

• Writing should be no more than 800 words. The submissions can be typed or handwritten and delivered or sent electronically.
• Artwork can be on your own paper/canvas/materials and you can use whatever medium you prefer (pencil, acrylic, oil, sculpture, photograph, etc) but no larger than 12x24.
• Performances must be on a high-resolution video with good sound quality and be no longer than four minutes. A link to the video is preferred, but video files can also be emailed.

Judging and Prizes

Youth from FFLIC's Black Girls Rising and Ujima Projects will judge the art and writing in three age categories: 10-14, 15-19, and 20-24. One winner from each age category will receive the following: $50 visa gift card, a LUSH bodycare product gift bag, Let Kids Be Kids t-shirt, FFLIC mask, one-year FFLIC Membership, and inclusion in our Media Campaign. Winners will be announced before the end of June.

How FFLIC Plans to Use the Art and Writing

We are truly grateful for the artistic expressions of our youth and will do our best to ensure that youth receive credit for your work. We will use the submissions as part of our advocacy efforts to end the school-to-prison pipeline and will let participants know of any plans to exhibit their works.

Other important information

By submitting your work you (and/or when applicable, your parent/guardian) grant FFLIC the right to edit, use, and reuse the materials; agree that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation; and release FFLIC of all claims, demands, and liabilities whatsoever in connection with the use of the materials.