Deadline extended!
July 1 - sep 10
liberté - international neurodivergent art and poetry contest
Liberté is a neurodivergent art and poetry contest held annually in Santiago de Chile and organized by ArtLabbé. This year ArtLabbé is opening its first Liberté contests in Coral Gables, FL and Santa Barbara, CA. Accepted artwork includes paintings, drawings, sketches, and collages. Other mediums such as photography and sculpture are not accepted. Registration is free. All submissions will be exhibited at the new Santa Barbara ArtLabbé gallery and a jury of community leaders will choose the winning three artists and three poets who will each receive a cash prize of $250.
2025 theme
Self-Portrait
"This is Me"
This year ArtLabbé is celebrating the individuality of neurodivergent artists. For many, self expression can be challenging. This is where art and poetry can be used as amazing tools to convey who we are when other methods are unavailable.
With the goal of promoting artistic self expression we are making this year's Liberté theme all about the artist: Who are you? What makes you unique? What are your hopes and dreams? In other words, this is our prompt - in shapes, colors, words and phrases, show us who you are!
Rules and Information for Santa Barbara
overview
Liberté is a neurodivergent art and poetry contest held annually in Santiago de Chile and organized by ArtLabbé. This year ArtLabbé is opening its first Liberté contests in Coral Gables, FL and Santa Barbara, CA. Accepted artwork includes paintings, drawings, sketches, and collages. Other mediums such as photography and sculpture are not accepted. Registration is free. All submissions will be exhibited at the brand new Santa Barbara ArtLabbé gallery and a jury of community leaders will choose the winning three artists and three poets who will each receive a cash prize of $250.
OUR MISSION
For those with cognitive and developmental disabilities, self expression can be one of the biggest challenges of life. We named our contest “Liberté,” a french word meaning “freedom,” because art, in all its forms, offers an amazing freedom to express our deepest wants, desires, hopes and dreams that are often inexpressible otherwise. It is the language of the spirit and the tongue of the unspoken word.
“In its essence, art is the profound expression of the spiritual side of humankind,” says Néstor J. Soto Godoy, cofounder of ArtLabbé and honorary doctorate in Theology and Philosophy. Through projects such as Liberté, we hope to further greater social inclusion of neurodivergent artists for all ages and nationalities.
PARTICIPANTS
Anyone with a degree of cognitive impairment can participate, regardless of their diagnosis or age. Residence in California is required. Participants may submit up to one artwork and one poetry submission. Collective works done by multiple artists will not be accepted. Participants under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian apply on their behalf.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR santa barbara
Registration open
Submissions received
Submissions exhibited
Jury deliberation
Award Ceremony
July 1 - September 10
August 1 - September 10
September 18 - October 15
September 25
October 1
CATEGORIES
Art:
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Under 18 years of age
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Between 18 and 65 years of age
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Over 65 years of age
Poetry:
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Under 18 years of age
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Between 18 and 65 years of age
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Over 65 years of age
THEME FOR 2025: “this is me”
This year ArtLabbé is celebrating the individuality of neurodivergent artists. For many, self expression can be challenging. Art in its variety of mediums provides a powerful and meaningful tool with with to express ourselves when other ways aren't enough.
With the goal of promoting artistic self expression we are making this year's Liberté theme all about the artist: Who are you? What makes you unique? What are your hopes and dreams? In other words, this is our prompt - in shapes, colors, words and phrases, tell us who you are!
TYPOLOGY AND REQUIREMENTS OF WORKS
Visual artworks:
All works must be oriented vertically, not horizontally, meaning the longest side of the work will be vertical (AKA portrait mode). Works must not exceed 16 inches by 22 inches.
Accepted mediums include acrylic, oil, mixed media, watercolor, oil and dry pastels (properly sealed), collages, drawings, and sketches. Works of photography and sculptures will not be accepted. No works created with the help of AI will be accepted.
Poetry:
Any form of written poetry will be accepted. Poems must be between 50 and 250 words and can be submitted in either English or Spanish. No poems created with the help of AI will be accepted.
DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
Artwork submissions must include the participant’s full name and age on the back of the artwork. Artwork will be received between August 1 to August 22 and is to be mailed or dropped off at:
ArtLabbé Santa Barbara
111 Santa Barbara St. Suite H
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Poems may be submitted in a copyable text format or, if handwritten, as a photo or color scan. Submissions must be emailed to: santabarbara@artlabbe.org
EXHIBITION OF WORKS
All artworks and poems regardless of having received a prize will be exhibited in the ArtLabbé Santa Barbara gallery from September 18th to October 15th.
THE JURY AND SELECTION OF WINNERS
Jury members will consist of community artists and leaders. Members will be revealed on our website one month before the deliberation. The winners will be notified on September 26th.
AWARD CEREMONY
The award ceremony will take place on September 27th in which all the winners will be presented with their prizes and a certificate. Honorable mentions for each category will also be named. In addition, each artist regardless of having received a prize will receive a certificate of congratulations for having participated in Liberté.
Register
