Ready Oregon Youth Art Contest

Article · August 27, 2026

Ready Oregon Youth Art Contest

What Does Community Preparedness Mean to You?

When disaster happens, everyone is affected. Communities are stronger and recover more quickly when we prepare and work together.

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites young artists across the state to participate in the Ready Oregon Youth Art Contest and show us what community preparedness means to them.

Oregon youth in grades K-12 are encouraged to create an original piece of art showing how people can work together to prepare for emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods, winter storms and more.

Need some inspiration? Learn how you, your family and your community can prepare for emergencies through Oregon's Be 2 Weeks Ready program.

Who Can Enter?

The contest is FREE and open to all youth in grades K-12 in Oregon.

Entries will be judged in four grade-level categories:

• Kindergarten-2nd grade
• 3rd-5th grade
• 6th-8th grade
• 9th-12th grade

Each category will recognize a First Place, Runner-Up and Honorable Mention.

Youth may submit one entry each.

Artwork Requirements

Artwork should creatively answer the question: What does community preparedness mean to you?

Whether preparedness means neighbors helping neighbors, families building emergency kits, communities practicing evacuation plans or people looking out for one another during a disaster, we want to see preparedness through the eyes of Oregon's youth.

Submissions must meet the following requirements:

• Medium: Original two-dimensional artwork, including painting, drawing or mixed media.
• Size: Between 8" × 10" and 11" × 14".
• Format: Artwork must be created on a flat surface. Canvas, cardstock or poster board are recommended.
• Original work: Artwork must be 100% original and created solely by the student. AI-generated images and copyrighted characters are not permitted.

How to Enter

Each submission must include the following information:

• Artist's name
• Grade level
• Name of parent, guardian or other contact person
• Contact person's relationship to the artist
• Contact person's phone number
• Contact person's email address
• A short description of the artwork

Artwork may be mailed to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management or dropped off at an approved local, county or Tribal emergency management office.

Approved Artwork Drop-Off Locations

Ready Oregon Youth Art Contest entries may be dropped off at any of the approved locations below. Please review each location's hours and instructions before visiting.

Eastern Oregon

Malheur County Emergency Management
151 B St. W.
Vale, OR 97918

Please address or deliver artwork to the Malheur County Emergency Manager.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) - Public Safety Building
46400 Timíne Way
Pendleton, OR 97801

Drop-off location: Public Safety Building lobby

Northwest Oregon

Grand Ronde Fire Station
28480 McPherson Drive
Grand Ronde, OR 97347

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Willamina Fire Station
825 Main Street
Willamina, OR 97396

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Please note: Emergency services staff may occasionally be away from the stations while responding to calls or emergencies.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office - Support Services
225 W. Olive Street, Room 203
Newport, OR 97365

Hours: Monday-Thursday
8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.
Closed noon-1 p.m. and Fridays.

Drop-off instructions: Enter through the courthouse public entrance and proceed through security. Once inside, go upstairs to the service window at Room 203 and provide the artwork to staff.

Willamette Valley

City of Eugene - The Atrium
99 W. 10th Avenue
Eugene, OR

Drop-off location: Reception desk
Hours: Noon-4 p.m.
Please route artwork to: Althea Sullivan

North Central Oregon

Wheeler County Sheriff's Office
701 Adams Street
Fossil, OR 97830

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mailing Option

Artwork may also be mailed directly to:

Oregon Department of Emergency Management
3930 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
Salem, OR 97302

Please ensure mailed entries arrive by the contest deadline: 5 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026.

Important Dates

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2026.

Winners will be notified by Friday, October 2, 2026.

Get creative, get prepared and show us what a ready Oregon looks like to you!