NEHS invites student members to take a bold stand for intellectual freedom by designing an original poster that features two banned books—one contemporary and one classic. Through striking visuals and thoughtful design, students will explore and express the powerful themes of censorship, resistance, and the freedom to read. Whether highlighting the historical impact of a long-challenged novel or showcasing a recent title that has sparked controversy, each poster should make a clear, compelling statement about why access to literature matters and how banned books continue to shape conversations around truth, identity, and justice.
Awards
Winning students will be notified by email and will have their work published on the NEHS Museletter blog. They will also receive a $50 check and an official Artwork Award certificate.
Eligiblity
Applicants must be NEHS student members enrolled in a school with an active NEHS chapter.
Submission Requirements
- Students must submit an original poster design that celebrates Banned Book Week and includes two banned books—one contemporary and one classic. It must make a clear visual and thematic statement about censorship and/or the freedom to read.
- The poster can be hand-drawn on letter size paper 8.5 inches wide (216mm) by x 11 inches high (279 mm) or created digitally in the same proportions. If hand-drawn, the design must be scanned at high resolution for submission. Submissions must not be photographed.
- All submissions must be a high resolution PDF (300 dpi or more—the higher the better).
- Your digital file must be less than 400MB in size.
- All artwork used for the poster design must be created by the student (applicants cannot use existing artwork/graphics or AI to create their piece).
- Each submission must include a brief text (150 words max.) outlining the key elements of the design and the reasoning behind their inclusion as well as expressing a clear message or perspective on censorship, banned books, and/or the freedom to read.
Submission Process
- All submissions must be made via the NEHS AwardSpring platform during the Fall Awards Cycle.
- Individual student members must upload a high-resolution PDF (.pdf) file of their poster design. Covers uploaded in other formats will be disqualified.
- Each student member must upload a Microsoft Word file (.doc/.docx) of the 150-word text synopsis outlining the key elements of the design and the reasoning behind their inclusion.
- Applicants must complete demographic data questions prior to submitting their documentation.
- All student members must include a 150-word (max.) third-person biography and high-resolution portrait photo.
- Applicants must agree that they are willing to provide a written report and photos detailing the impact the award has had on them, which can be used by NEHS to promote this and other opportunities in future years should they win an award.
Evaluation Process
All submissions will be evaluated by at least three members of the NEHS evaluation team.
All submissions will be evaluated against a rubric containing (but not limited to) the following categories:
- Creativity and originality
- Visual impact
- Relevance to symbolism, imagery/theme, quotes, etc.
- Integration of selected titles
- Rationale for the design
