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registration closes may 14
liberté - international neurodivergent art and poetry contest
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.
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 for Santa Barbara
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.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR santa barbara
Registration Open
Jury Deliberation
Opening Night
Award Ceremony
Works Exhibited
March 1 - May 14
May 27
May 28
June 6
May 28 - June 18
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: “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.
TYPOLOGY AND REQUIREMENTS OF WORKS
Visual artworks:
All works must be oriented horizontally meaning the longest side of the work will be horizontal (AKA landscape 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 March 1 and May 14 and is to be mailed to 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 May 28 - June 18.
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 May 28th.
AWARD CEREMONY
The award ceremony will take place on June 6th 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
