Whether at school, work, or home, we all use online tools in our daily lives. But dangers lurk: cybercriminals aim to gain access to our money, steal our identity, and exploit our data. Amid rising cyberattacks and data breaches, it’s more important than ever that we secure our world, online and off.
We each play a part in raising awareness about cybersecurity. That’s why Aspen Digital is launching a new poster competition focused on “Cybersecurity in Daily Life.”
Aimed at inspiring and funding young artists ages 14 through 17, this contest will offer $1,000 to eight runners up and $2,000 to the grand prize winner. The deadline to submit is August 31, 2024. Keep reading for more details.
INSPIRED BY HISTORY
The “Cybersecurity in Daily Life” competition draws inspiration from a long history in American civic education to leverage printed posters to inform and uplift. Affordable to produce and easy to replicate, these posters would be sponsored by the government, created by artists, and circulated to the public.
For example, during the Great Depression, programs led within the Work Projects Administration (WPA) employed artists to create printed posters and other artworks to educate and inspire people during hard times. They promoted everything from health and safety advice to the country’s many National Parks.
THE CONTEST
The Cybersecurity in Daily Life poster competition, sponsored by Aspen Digital, is open to artists ages 14-17 across the US. In this context, a “poster” is defined as a printed or digital artwork that mixes imagery and text to convey a message or idea.
Artists are encouraged to think creatively about the following questions when designing posters:
What does everyday cybersecurity look like?
How is cybersecurity part of your use of technology?
Why is cybersecurity important to you?
Submissions will be accepted electronically through an online Entry Form.
SUBMIT YOUR POSTER
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the competition, submitting artists must be between the ages of 14 and 17 years old by the application deadline, and must currently reside in the United States.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
- Artists, with your parents or guardians: Review the 2024 Rules & Guidelines.
- Artists: Design your poster!
- Submissions may include painting, drawing, graphic design, or photography.
- Artworks must be at least 8.5”x11” and no larger than 24”x36”.
- Non-original computer-generated images, images generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI), and traced images will not be accepted or judged.
- Artists: Write a brief artist’s statement about your artwork.
- Parents or guardians: Submit up to three high-resolution images of the contestant’s poster using the Entry Form.
- Parents or guardians: Review and sign the Entry Agreement on the second page of the Entry Form.
READ THE 2024 RULES & GUIDELINES
JUDGING & DISPLAY
Finalists will be displayed in a virtual gallery on Aspen Digital’s website. Submissions may also be displayed in physical form at the Aspen Cyber Summit in Washington, DC.
Judges will select nine total winners: four winners ages 14-15, four winners ages 16-17, and one grand prize winner across both categories. The winners from each age category will be awarded $1,000.00, and the grand prize winner will be awarded $2,000.00.
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 31, 2024. Winners will be announced in September 2024.
