Fish Art Entry Form

Illinois Fish Art Contest

Entry Deadline • February 28th, 2025
Eligibility:
- Review the 2026 Rules & Guidelines.
- This entry form is for particpants that reside in Illinois.
- Illinois entries must feature a fish species found in Illinois.
- The Fish Art Contest is free and open to all persons in grades K-12 (aged 5-18 years old).
- Each entry must include both an original artwork and a creative writing piece (writing is optional for students in grades K–3).
- All entries must submit an online entry form, even if you choose to mail in the physical artwork and creative writing. Mailing instructions will be at the end once the form has been submitted.
- Entries must abide by the guidelines and be submitted by February 28th, 2026
Reminder: Artwork must feature an Illinois fish species

If you have questions, please contact Jenny Vaughn at jenny@ilconservation.org
Are you submitting one entry or multiple?*

I'm submitting one entryI'm submitting multiple entries

Student Information
Student Full Name *

First NameLast Name
Student Email
Phone
Grade Level*
Grade*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Educator / Adult Supervisor Information
Supervising Adult / Educator Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Select What Applies*

ParentSchool TeacherArt Studio EducatorTroop LeaderOther
Educator / Adult Email:*
example@example.com
School/Organization
School/Organization Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Artwork Information
How are you submitting your work?*
If you are planning to mail in your artwork submission, mailing instructions will be available once this entry form has been submitted.
Art Title (Optional) :
Artistic Medium(s) Used:*
Colored pencil, chalk, watercolor, marker, etc.
Fish Species in Artwork*
Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi fish are NOT elgible and will automatically be disqualified
Art Upload

JPG, JPEG, PNG
Cancelof
Creative Writing Upload

JPG, JPEG, PNG
Cancelof
Select all that apply

Artwork features a Great Lakes SpeciesArtwork features a Shark SpeciesArtwork freatures a Native and Invasive Species to my areaCreative writing answers: “Why do you think it is important to protect our lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastlines?”

Before You Submit
Please be sure your artwork, creative writing, and entry form meets all of the following criteria:*

I have read the complete “Rules and Guidelines” for this year.My creative writing is no more than one side of one page in length and has my name, grade & state on it. (Writing required for US participants grades 4-12)My entry form is complete and signed by myself and an adult.
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature of Artist:*

Clear
Signature of Supervising Adult:*

Clear
The Fish Art Contest is supported by:

Submitting Multiple Entries

If you're an educator, teacher, or parent submitting a large amount of entries, this will help streamline the process. For just a few entries, we welcome you to submit them individually by going back a step and selecting "I'm submitting one entry". For questions, contact the Wildlife Forever team at info@wildlifeforever.org.
Submission Instructions

Download the Student Information Sheet: Fill out all required details for each student.
- If you do not have Excel, you may upload the file to Google Sheets to edit
If Mailing Artwork

Use the Mail-In Name Sheet to write multiple student's name, grade, and fish species. Cut out the name tags and tape the respective tag on the back of each piece of artwork along with each student’s information and signature. After submitting this form, you will be prompted to print your completed entry form along with mailing instructions.

If Submitting Online

Scan all artwork and creative writings - save as a PNG, JPG, or JPEG.

Artwork Naming: Save or rename each file with the student’s name, grade, and species in the file name (e.g., "JohnSmith_Grade3_Trout.jpg").

Creative Writing Naming: For student’s grade 4 and above, save or rename each essay file with the student’s name, grade, and “essay” in the file name (e.g., "JohnSmith_Grade3_Essay.jpg").

Uploading Online: Once you have all the artwork and creative writing files name correctly, gather all files in a folder. Zip the folder and upload it to this entry form, along with the completed Student Information Sheet.
Educator / Adult Information
Educator / Adult Full Name*

First NameLast Name
School / Organization*
Email*
example@example.com
Select What Applies*

ParentSchool TeacherArt Studio EducatorTroop LeaderOther
Mailing Address (School / Studio / Home)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
How are you submitting your students work?*
How many entries are you submitting?*
Filled Student Information Sheet*

EXCEL OR GOOGLE SHEETS ONLY
Cancelof
(Zipped Folder) Student Artwork & Writings

ZIPPED FILES ONLY
Cancelof
Before You Submit
Please be sure your student's artwork, creative writing, and entry form meets all of the following criteria:*

I have read the complete “Rules and Guidelines” for this year.My students' creative writing is no more than one side of one page in length and has their name, grade & state on it. (Writing required for grades 4-12)The entry form is complete and I, as my students' educator, agree to the terms & conditions on behalf of my students.
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature of Adult:*

Clear
The Fish Art Contest is supported by:

Nominate an Educator of the Year

The Fish Art Contest includes a special award honoring educators who inspire students to explore the outdoors and participate in the contest. If you’d like to nominate someone, complete this final page to submit them for the Richard M. Hart Educator of the Year Award—they’ll have a chance to receive a classroom package of fishing and art supplies.
How are you submitting to the Fish Art Contest?*

I am a student filling out this form for my own artworkI am an educator submitting my students' artworkI am a parent submitting on behalf of my child(ren)
How many years have you participated in the Fish Art Contest?*
Who are you nominating?*

Myself (an educator)My teacher or another educatorI don't want to nominate someone
Nominating Educator Email*

First NameLast Name
Nominating Educator Email*
example@example.com
Share the outdoor experiences being taught by you or your chosen Educator*
Richard M. (Dick) Hart was a successful businessman and family man who had a passion for fishing and conservation. Recognizing his contributions and impact on the Fish Art Contest, The Richard M. Hart Educator of the Year Award is a National Award to honor educators from across the nation. It was Mr. Hart’s belief that educators are the key to encourage and inspire youth conservation education.
Should be Empty:

Illinois Fish Art Contest

Student Information

Educator / Adult Supervisor Information

Artwork Information

Before You Submit

The Fish Art Contest is supported by:

Submitting Multiple Entries

Educator / Adult Information

Before You Submit

The Fish Art Contest is supported by:

Nominate an Educator of the Year