Liberté 2026: International Neurodivergent Art & Poetry Contest
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Important Dates
coral gables, usa
Registration Opens – March 15, 2026
Registration Closes – May 14, 2026
Jury Deliberation – May 21, 2026
Opening Night & Award Ceremony – May 23, 2026
santa barbara, usa
Registration Opens – April 1. 2026
Registration Closes – May 14, 2026
Jury Deliberation – May 27, 2026
Opening Night – May 28, 2026
Award Ceremony – June 10, 2026
santiago, chile
Registration Opens – TBD
Registration Closes – TBD
Jury Deliberation – TBD
Opening Night – TBD
Award Ceremony – TBD
Liberté is an international art and poetry contest open to neurodivergent artists around the world.
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Accepted artwork includes paintings, drawings, sketches, and collages. Other mediums such as photography and sculpture are not accepted. Registration is free.
All submissions are exhibited at an ArtLabbé gallery. A jury of community leaders choose the winning artists and poets from each of the three age categories. There is a cash prize of $250 for each of the winners.
2026 theme
"I Have a Dream..."
Dreams are fundamental to the human experience. They are what keep us up at night, push us out of our comfort zone, and motivate us to achieve what was previously thought to be impossible. They keep us warm on a dark night and give us hope for a brighter day. Nothing would happen without dreams.
This year we are prompting our artists (in visual or poetic form): what are your dreams? What hopes do you have for your life? What do you wish to see fulfilled one day? What keeps you inspired and motivated?
We look forward to dreaming alongside you.
"I Have a Dream..."
-Martin Luther King Jr.
rules and information
OVERVIEW
Liberté is an international art and poetry contest open to neurodivergent artists around the world. 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 ArtLabbé closest to you 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. Artists from anywhere in the world are invited to submit. 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.
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
USE OF THEME
Works must relate to the current years' theme.
typology and requirements of works
Visual artworks:
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. Artworks must be delivered in person, mailed, or included in the Registration Form as a high-resolution image before the Registration Close date.
Poems must be submitted in a copyable text format in the Registration Form.
exhibition of works
All artworks and poems regardless of having received an award will be exhibited in the ArtLabbé gallery that was selected upon registration.
THE JURY AND SELECTION OF WINNERS
Winners and honorable mentions will be selected by a jury of community artists and leaders.
award ceremony
Each participant regardless of having received an award will be invited to attend an award ceremony. Dates differ depending on location. Please refer to the top of this page for specific dates by location.
