CHCP Contest: Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience (thru July 31)

Reflections on Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience
at the United States' Semiquincentennial

In 2026, the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate this historical moment, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) invites you to explore Asian American history, and connect it to the present. Showcase your creativity and enter the contest. Youth participants may win a cash prize of up to $500. See Who Can Participate for prize details. Winning projects will be featured on the CHCP website and displayed in public exhibitions.

What Should You Create?

Submit an original poem, artwork, or video that:

1. Connects a historical event of a civil rights issue involving Asian Americans, and
2. Explain why that history matters today.

Sample topics include, but are not limited to:

You are encouraged to use primary sources, family stories, or local history where possible. Participants are responsible for obtaining all rights, licenses, and permissions for any third party content in their submissions.

Who Can Participate?

All California residents, including CHCP members, are welcome to participate. Submissions will be judged in two (2) divisions:

1. Youth (grades 6-12 for the 2026-2027 school year, including incoming 6th grader)
2. Adults

The youth group will have cash awards for first ($500), second ($350), and third ($250) prize, and up to three (3) honorable mentions.

The adult group will have three (3) People’s Choice Awards. Voting will open after the submission deadline. Please check the CHCP website for updates on when voting begins.

Submission Formats

We welcome diverse forms of artistic expression (individually referred to as “work” and collectively, “works”) in the forms of:

Poetry submissions are limited to 500 words. Video, films, and performances should be under 3 minutes.

All submissions must include a brief artistic statement (up to 150 words) describing:

Other Rules

1. Only one entry per participant.
2. Participants must submit works that are theirs and theirs only. Submissions of AI-generated content as original creative works are not permitted and will result in disqualification.
3. Your submission must not depict any recognizable person for whom you have not received permission to enter such person in the contest and must not infringe upon the publicity rights of any third party. You must receive the requisite permission/consent to use the video/photo from anyone who has any rights to the video/photo.
4. By entering, participants grant CHCP rights to showcase and distribute works across various media platforms.
5. If your entry is selected as a winner, you grant CHCP a royalty-free, non-exclusive right, in perpetuity, to:
   • Use the poem, artwork, or video in its internal and external communications with attribution, including, but not limited to, website, advertising, presentations, and printed and digital materials.
   • Use, in connection with the contest, the participant’s name and city of residence.
   • Retain a digital copy of the submission.
6. Entries must not include trademarked or copyrighted material.
7. Winners will be announced in late September and recognized at an in-person Award Ceremony. Please check the CHCP website for further details. We welcome all participants to attend the event in person.

Judging

All categories of submissions will be judged by the same jurors based on relevant content and historical accuracy (40%), creativity (30%), and production/technical skills (30%).

For Questions: Please email Contest2026@chcp.org.

Submission Deadline: 6 pm PDT, July 31, 2026

SUBMIT ENTRY