The New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Special Education is now accepting art submissions for the 2nd Annual Autism Acceptance Virtual Art Expo, which celebrates the theme “Spotlight the Spectrum,” according to an advisory.
The expo will highlight artwork created by students with autism who utilize art as a means of expression as well as pieces created by peers to celebrate autism acceptance. This popular event is held annually in April.
This year’s theme will highlight the talents and passion within our autism community across New Jersey’s schools. “Spotlight the Spectrum” can be widely interpreted, and it is an excellent way to encourage students to think about any object or subject matter that expresses their identity and talents.
The theme will capture the acceptance of autism through creative expression by and in support of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Students with ASD and those who want to support Autism Acceptance Month are encouraged to submit originalartwork of any medium to be displayed online as part of the expo. Group submissions are also encouraged.
Types of Art
All original artworks must be photographed; however, that does not limit the medium and type of art that can be submitted. Photography, drawings, paintings, sculptures, sketches and computer animations are acceptable. For classroom art projects, please create a collage of student work and submit it as one submission.
Submission of Information
School personnel (e.g., teachers, administrators, supervisors, directors, etc.) will submit photographed artwork by filling out the Autism Acceptance Art Expo Submission form and uploading the photographed artwork. In your submission, you must include the following information for each photographed work of art you are submitting:
- Picture of the students’ artwork.
- Title of the artwork.
- Students’ first names.
- School district.
- Grade Level.
- Brief description of each artwork (max 100 words).
Only one submission per student will be considered for display, and only original artwork will be considered. Please do not include any submissions that contain a picture of the students’ faces. The deadline for all submissions is Feb. 14, 2025.
Tips for Photographing Your Artwork
To ensure optimal presentation, please adhere to the following photography tips for artwork submission:
- Utilize a high-quality camera or smartphone for clear images.
- Ensure ample lighting in the photo-taking environment.
- Eliminate shadows and light glares by adjusting artwork and camera placement.
- Capture images straight-on, minimizing angles for a true representation.
- Place the artwork flat on the ground and shoot from above to avoid leaning against the wall if needed.
Note that original artwork submissions featuring clear and legible images will be considered for selection.
Contact Information
Please direct all questions to the Office of Special Education via email.
