When Words Fail, Art Speaks!

The Federation of Families of South Carolina (FFSC) holds an annual statewide Art Contest for children, youth and young adults (up to age 25) to serve as a positive and create outlet to combat stigma.

It can be hard for children/youth to articulate verbally what they are feeling, so it’s important to emphasize how helpful art is for expression. When they can’t put it into words what they are feeling, art can communicate and provide them with a way to cope and express.

For the past 20 years, the winning artwork from this contest has been used to design the poster for Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week (CMHAW). The winning art will be the one that best represents the theme “It’s OK to not be OK!”. The CMHM posters are proudly displayed in community mental health centers and schools across the state.

FFSC recognizes the month of May as Children’s Mental Health Month and celebrates National Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week, which is observed the first full week of May.

The prizes are as follows: 1st place: $100, 2nd place: $50 & 3rd place: $25

Deadline for entries: Friday, March 3, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.

Voting process information: An internal review/voting process will be organized by the Federation of Families of SC. The artwork that meets all requirements and represents the theme will be featured in the Top 10 online voting process. Online voting will be held in March 2023.

An entry form must be completed and submitted with artwork. For more information about rules, requirements and how to access the entry form, please click ART CONTEST INFO.

If you have any questions, please call us at 866.779.0402 or email [email protected]

Please submit all artwork to:
Federation of Families of SC
810 Dutch Square Blvd. Suite 486 Columbia, SC 29210