America 250: Expressions of Liberty Art & Poetry Contest

America 250: Expressions of Liberty Invites Vermont Students
to Explore the Meaning of Freedom Through Poetry and Art
Statewide student contest to culminate in Constitution Day celebration at Town Hall Theater
MIDDLEBURY, VT —As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, Vermonters are invited to join a national moment of reflection, creativity, and civic engagement. In honor of America’s Semiquincentennial, middle and high school students across Vermont are encouraged to participate in America 250: Expressions of Liberty, a statewide poetry and art contest exploring the theme: “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?”
Presented in partnership with the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone, and Town Hall Theater, this inspiring initiative invites young Vermonters to reflect on liberty through their own lived experiences, hopes, and imagination. Submissions are due June 15. Selected works will be showcased at a public Constitution Day celebration on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury. Contest winners will be showcased in print materials and promoted. There will even be trophies, and refreshments at the open-to-the-public Constitution Day event.
This project is made possible through generous support from the Vermont Arts Council, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of a nationwide initiative supporting creative projects that commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. This investment recognizes the essential role of the arts in helping communities reflect on our shared history, engage with civic ideals, and imagine the future. Through this support, Vermont students are being given a powerful platform to contribute their voices to the national conversation.
Judging will be led by distinguished members of the U.S. District Court alongside Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone, underscoring the collaboration between the arts, civic life, and the judiciary in honoring this historic milestone.
“Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years,” said organizers. “As we commemorate our nation’s past, it is essential that we listen to their voices, honor their perspectives, and invite them to imagine the future they wish to create.”
Students are invited to submit original poems and/or artwork inspired by the prompt, “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?” Entries may explore personal experiences, dreams for the future, or reflections on the many ways liberty shapes our lives and communities. There is no single right answer—each student’s voice is a vital part of the ongoing American story.