NMDCA News:

Just over a week remains for New Mexico residents to participate in the 2nd Annual New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) Ekphrastic Poetry Contest. Submissions close at the end of the day Friday, Feb. 7.

Following a successful launch last spring, NMDCA divisions across New Mexico have selected 15 new works of art that showcase the best of their collections in preparation for National Poetry Month in April. These images are on display at nmculture.org/poetry and represent the variety of art, history, and science on display across the state.  

Since the contest launched in October, New Mexico residents have had a chance to write and submit ekphrastic poetry that responds to any of these 15 selected artworks. Ekphrastic poems may be any length and use any poetic style, but submissions must be complete poems and must respond to the works of art on display. Contestants may upload their poem by clicking the ‘Submit’ button on nmculture.org/poetry. The contest includes two categories, Youth (6th to 12th graders only) and Adult.

Each submission will be judged anonymously by a panel of experts, including New Mexico Poet Laureate Lauren Camp. From there, one winner for each artwork in both the Youth and Adult categories will be selected by the panel and announced April 15.

Winners will receive a pair of NMDCA CulturePasses, which allow access to each of NMDCA’s 15 museums and historic sites, along with other fun surprises.