2025 211 Art Contest
Submissions Now Being Accepted!
See the 2024 Winners and Submissions
Community Canvas: Expressing the Collective Impact of 211
Express the Connection – You Are Not Alone
We invite artists and creators of all kinds to take part in UWBA’s second annual 211 Art Contest. This year’s theme is “You Are Not Alone” – making sure people know how access to 211 Helpline services in our communities connects individuals in times of need. Show us what it means to have access to these vital resources, or what the world might look like without them, through your chosen medium—whether it’s visual art, music, video, spoken word, photography, or other forms of creative expression.
Your work can convey the emotional journey of having support during a crisis—the hope, relief, and empowerment that come when individuals and families are linked to the right resources to feel less alone in times of need. It can also represent the power of community action in making sure 211 remains a bridge between need and support, highlighting how these services help people connect, overcome challenges and build stronger, healthier lives.
A Celebration of Community & Diversity
Incorporate the unique spirit of your community, reflecting its diversity and strength. Show us the faces, voices, and stories that make your community vibrant, and illustrate the universal impact of 211 for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. This is your chance to share an authentic and powerful artistic representation of connection, support, and hope.
More Information
What Is 211?
February 11th is 211 Day! This annual event raises awareness and recognizes the impact of 211 in supporting individuals and communities with vital services in times of need.
211 is more than just a helpline; it’s a lifeline for communities in times of need. Instead of navigating through multiple dead-end calls, this free resource ensures that those in need connect with a trained specialist who guides them to the right services. Accessible via phone, text, or online, 211 operates 24/7 in over 150 languages, while maintaining the confidentiality of every call. These three numbers, 211, links callers with health and human services, making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals across diverse communities.
Examples of Resources 211 Provides
- Food: from accessing free healthy groceries to getting a hot meal
- Immigration and Legal Aid Services: Access to legal aid, documentation guidance, and more. Immigration status is not required when you call 211.
- Shelter: from shelter for the night to assistance with paying rent to understanding tenant rights
- Utilities: getting help with paying bills or getting utilities turned back on
- Disaster Relief: from finding warming centers during cold weather spells to accessing FEMA funds to rebuild your home after a devastating natural disaster
- Health and Wellness: access to mental health resources, assistance with finding health insurance, or support to kick habits like smoking
- And so much more
Guidelines
- Contestants must reside in one of our eight service area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Clara and Solano
- Please send your submission through the contest website: uwba.org/211artcontest
- Submissions will need to be in PNG, JPEG or PDF format. Video must be uploaded to either YouTube and Vimeo and the URL provided on the submission form.
- Submit at 300-word description of your artistic interpretation
- All contestants must be 18+
- All submission must be submitted by February 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM to be considered
- Click here for official rules
Winner Selection
- Two winners, People’s Choice Winner and Judge’s Award, will be selected for a chance to win $1,500 each.
- The People’s Choice winner will be selected via an online voting process at uwba.org/211artcontest. Voting will be based on the top 25 selections and will run from February 12-26, 2025..
- The Judge’s Award will be selected by UWBA
- Both winners will be announced February 27, 2025.
Enter the Contest for a Chance to Win $1000!
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Making a purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Click here for official rules
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You will be notified by February 12, 2025, if you are selected as a finalist. Public voting will also begin on February 12, 2025.
We encourage you to share this page with your friends and invite them to vote when voting opens. Voting will be accessible directly through this page: 👉 https://uwba.org/get-involved/events/211artcontest/
Stay tuned, and thank you for being part of this exciting event!