Kwanzaa Anthology - Artist Call Submission Form

Call for Artists: Kwanzaa Anthology

Celebrating Unity, Creativity, and Community

 

We are excited to announce an open call for artists to contribute to a Kwanzaa anthology that honors this cultural celebration's rich traditions and values. Rooted in African heritage, Kwanzaa emphasizes unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

About the Anthology:

The Kwanzaa anthology aims to showcase diverse artistic expressions that reflect the essence of Kwanzaa. We welcome submissions from artists of all backgrounds and mediums, including but not limited to:

• Visual Art: paintings, drawings, digital art, photography, etc.
• Poetry, Prose
• Short Stories
• Short Plays
• Essays
• Illustrations
• Comics
• Multimedia Art

Themes and Guidelines:

We invite artists to create literary and visual artworks that resonate with one or more of the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles of Kwanzaa). Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). 

Submissions should emphasize these principles, celebrating their cultural significance and promoting their application in contemporary contexts through literary narratives, poetry, or visual representations. We encourage literary and visual submissions embodying the spirit of Kwanzaa, celebrating its principles and traditions in ways that inspire and uplift.

Submission Details:

• Who Can Submit: Open to artists of all levels, backgrounds, and ages.
• Artwork Limit: Each artist can submit up to ten (10) pieces for consideration.
• Artist Statement: Include a brief statement (100-200 words) introducing yourself and explaining how your work reflects the themes of Kwanzaa.
• Non-Explicit Content: Submissions must not contain explicit content, including but not limited to graphic depictions of violence, sexual content, or offensive language. The anthology is intended to be suitable for audiences of all ages.
• Respectful Representation: All work should respectfully reflect Kwanzaa's cultural significance and promote positive, uplifting, and empowering messages aligned with its values.
• Original Works: All submissions must be original and created by the artist.
  Format:
  
  • Visual Art: Submit high-resolution images or digital files.
  • Literary Work: Written submissions should be in standard formats (MS Word, plain text, etc.).
• Submission Form: Submit via Kwanzaa Anthology - Artist Call Submission Form (https://form.jotform.com/241688848631167) 

Deadline: 

The deadline for submissions is August 31. Late submissions are not guaranteed consideration

Compensation:

Selected artists will receive the following benefits for their contributions to Experiencing the Seven Principles: A Kwanzaa Anthology:

• Visibility and Prestige: Prominent credits in the anthology and promotional features on our website and social media.
• Thematic Engagement: An opportunity to explore and express the rich themes of Kwanzaa.
• Supportive Community: Access to a network of artists and writers, including workshops and feedback sessions.
• Publication and Distribution: Two free copies of the anthology and wide distribution to reach a broad audience.
• Historical and Cultural Significance: Participation in a culturally important project that promotes and preserves Kwanzaa traditions.

We deeply value the contributions to our anthology and are committed to ensuring that all selected artists receive recognition and support.

Timeline:

• Artists Call: June - August
• Submission Deadline: August 31
• Notifications: September 15
• Layout & Publish: September - October
• Release: November - January

 

Publication and Rights:

By submitting your work, you grant permission to include it in the Kwanzaa Anthology. Artists retain the copyright of their work and will be credited accordingly in the anthology.

Contact Information:

For inquiries or further information, please contact Noni Ervin at noniervin@gmail.com  or 425-243-3176 (call or text).

We look forward to receiving your submissions and celebrating the spirit of Kwanzaa through art!

Warm regards,

 

KWANZAA ANTHOLOGY TEAM

BLACK 4 CHARITIES   
www.Black4Charities.org
Using the Principles of Kwanzaa to Build, Restore, and Celebrate our Cultural Creative Genius and Ingenuity.

KINARA PARK KIDS  
www.KinaraParkKids.com 
Developing Character and Values in Everyday Life by Utilizing the Timeless Principles of Kwanzaa: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith!!!

REFERENCE

KWANZAA PRINCIPLES

1 Umoja (Unity)
2 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
3 Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
4 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
5 Nia (Purpose)
6 Kuumba (Creativity)
7 Imani (Faith)
8 NGUZO SABA (Seven Principles)
IDK - I don't know. Please assist.

 

DEFINITIONS

1 Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

2 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

3 Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.

4 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

5 Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

6 Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

7 Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.