2025

Making Work Visible—A Labor Arts Contest

This contest is about work and workers. Written entries need to include a link to an illustration (there are many choices). Keep in mind that paid work and labor unions are only part of the story—entries about unpaid work, immigration, family, and community are also encouraged.

When? Entries accepted starting April 2025. The deadline is November 14, 2025.

Who? Open to CUNY undergraduates.

What? Three categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Art

Prizes in EACH category – First place $1,000, Second Place $500, Third Place $250

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

DETAILS

Written entries need a link to an image related to the themes in the writing. The image can be one of the images below, OR one of the images from the LaborArts gallery, exhibits, or collections OR you can provide your own image.

Visual art entries need a paragraph (100–250 words) explaining how the work shares the Labor Arts spirit. The statement must include information about the medium (painting, collage, sculpture, etc) and the artistic tradition in which you are working.

Judging? Entries are judged according to originality, content, and style, by professors who teach undergraduates at CUNY. Successful entries show thoughtful, original work on subjects relevant to work, to the experiences of working people, and to the labor movement.

TO ENTER

Fiction and Non-Fiction Entries

Send an email to mwv@brooklyn.cuny.edu with the following:

1.  SUBJECT LINE:  Your name, type of entry (Fiction, Non-Fiction, or Visual Art)

2.  IN THE BODY OF THE EMAIL:

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Title of your written work (short story or academic essay):
Title of image that goes with your written work:
Artist and date for the image:
Link to the image:
Certification: I certify that I am a CUNY undergraduate student and that this is my original writing.

3.  ATTACHMENT: Attach a Word doc, Google doc, or PDF with your written work to the email. The document name should be your name, type of entry (fiction or non-fiction). The first page of the document should have just your name and the title of the work. (Apple Pages format NOT accepted).

IF there is no link to your image please also attach the image.

PLEASE NOTE – WRITTEN ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THE IMAGE OR IMAGE INFORMATION IS MISSING.

Visual Arts Entries

Send an email to mwv@brooklyn.cuny.edu with the following:

1.  SUBJECT LINE: Your name, Visual Arts entry

2.  IN THE BODY OF THE EMAIL:

Name:
Email:
Phone:
Title of your art work:
Dimensions of art work: Height – ?? inches; Width – ?? inches
Media of art work: (oil paint, ink, water color, etc)
Paragraph about your art work: 100 – 250 word statement explaining how the work shares the Labor Arts spirit. The statement must include information about the medium (painting, collage, sculpture, etc.) and the artistic tradition in which you are working.
Certification: I certify that I am a CUNY undergraduate and that this artwork is my original work.

3.  ATTACHMENT: Attach a JPG or PDF of your artwork at 300 DPI.

PLEASE NOTE – VISUAL ARTS ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF THE WRITTEN PARAGRAPH OR IMAGE INFORMATION IS MISSING.

Questions? Contact Patrick Kavanagh at mwv@brooklyn.cuny.edu