NRCS announces Art Contest

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recognizes and celebrates each year the many different cultures to which we have the opportunity to offer our services and programs to, including American Indians. November has been designated as American Indian Heritage month and provides an opportunity to make people aware of the history of American Indians and their contributions to the world.

One of the ways NRCS nationally celebrates American Indian Heritage Month is by distributing a poster created by an American Indian artist. Each year an artist in a selected state has the opportunity to exhibit his/her talents and heritage on a national level, and the South Central Region (which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas) has been chosen for 2008.

Below is information for American Indian artists who may be interested in submitting their artwork. Only one piece of artwork will be selected to become the 2008 American Indian Heritage Month Poster. Details are as follows:

• All tribal artists are invited to submit their artwork.
• The theme for the artwork is “Conservation….Our Passion….Our Heritage”.
• The story behind the artwork must accompany the poster to the address given below.
• Each artist is to notify Anderson Neal (501) 301-3131 or by email at Anderson.Neal@ar.usda.gov or Dr. Carol Crouch at (405) 527-3241 Ext. 108 or by email at Carol.Crouch@ok.usda.gov by July 2, 2008 if they will be submitting their artwork for this purpose.
• The artist will provide one original artwork, size 18” X 24”, acrylic or oil on canvas, ready for reproduction. The artwork is to be delivered to USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service; ATTN: Anderson Neal, RM 3416 Federal building, 700 W. Capital Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201-3225 by July 15,2008 (no exceptions).
• An American Indian Heritage Poster selection committee will judge the artwork and select a winner no later than July 18, 2008.
• NRCS will purchase the artwork for the NRCS 2008 American Indian Heritage Month Poster from the artist for $2,000.00.
• NRCS has the right to reproduce and distribute copies of the artwork at its discretion.
• NRCS and the selected artist will sign a contractual agreement to set forth the terms of procurement and rights of the two parties.

Many American Indian Heritage posters have been done in the past by American Indian artists from other tribes nationwide. A copy of the 2007 NRCS American Indian poster artwork is available for viewing at http://landcare.nrcs.usda.gov or a local NRCS office in your county.

This will be a great public awareness opportunity for the artist and the Tribe. Copies of the poster will be distributed to all NRCS offices in all 50 states, plus the Caribbean and Pacific Basin areas for local exhibition.

We hope that many of our tribal artists will take advantage of this opportunity to promote and share their heritage. If there are any questions, please contact Anderson Neal (501) 301-3131 or by email at Anderson.Neal@ar.usda.gov or Dr. Carol Crouch at (405) 527-3241 Ext. 108 or by email at Carol.Crouch@ok.usda.gov.