The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is thrilled to announce the launch of our annual Feeding Creativity Art Competition, a unique initiative that invites K-12 students across our 21-county service area to use their creativity to make a meaningful impact. This year’s theme, "Food Unites Us: Celebrating Cultural Connections," encourages young artists to explore the ways food brings people together, fostering connection and understanding across cultures.
Why Feeding Creativity Matters
For one in five children in Central Texas, hunger is a daily reality. As summer approaches and school meal programs pause, many families face additional challenges in accessing the food they need. The Feeding Creativity Art Competition shines a light on this critical issue, empowering students to use their artistic voices to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire community action.
“Art, like food, has the remarkable ability to bring people together spark meaningful conversations about some of the most pressing challenges we face like summer hunger,” said Sari M. Vatske, CTFB President + CEO. “The Feeding Creativity Art Competition is a powerful and unique form of advocacy, where young artists shine a light on these critical issues in ways that are both accessible and impactful. By transforming these stories into creative expressions, we open the door for more people to engage, empathize, and take action. Through these conversations, we create pathways to change and inspire a collective commitment to ensuring every child has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.”
How It Works
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Who Can Participate: All K-12 students in our 21-county service area are invited to submit artwork.
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Theme: "Food Unites Us: Celebrating Cultural Connections."
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What to Create: Students are encouraged to design a piece of art that showcases a meal or food experience highlighting cultural diversity. Whether it’s a family recipe, a shared meal with someone from a different background, or the universal joy of food, the possibilities are endless. Download Artist Toolkit.
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Submission Period: January 6, 2025, through April 1, 2025.
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Prizes: The winning artwork will be transformed into a wrap for one of CTFB’s delivery trucks—a moving masterpiece spreading awareness across Central Texas.
Celebrity Judges
We are proud to announce our panel of celebrity judges for the 2025 event.
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Zohaib "Zo" Qadri - Austin City Council Member, District 9
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Lucy Gross - SAGE Studio & Gallery Co-Founder + Director of External Relations
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Celina Zisman - City of Austin Arts Commission Chair
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J Muzacz - Muralist and mosaic artist
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Constance White - Austin Bergstrom International Airport Arts Manager
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Melissa Barrera - Actress, Singer and Community Advocate
Making a Difference Through Art
The Feeding Creativity Art Competition goes beyond raising awareness. It directly supports the CTFB’s work to connect neighbors with nutritious food and resources they need to thrive. Community support, like that of generous partners and sponsors, ensures that programs addressing childhood hunger remain strong, especially during critical times like summer.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and summer can be one of the most challenging times for families facing food insecurity,” said Vatske. "With school meals unavailable, families are often burdened by increased expenses, from higher utility costs to added childcare. The Feeding Creativity Art Competition not only raises awareness about these struggles, it also celebrates the incredible creativity and compassion of our young neighbors. This event is a unique way to spotlight the issue of summer hunger while empowering our community to come together and create lasting change. Together, we can ensure that every family has access to the nutritious food they need to build brighter futures.”
Gallery Night: A Celebration of Creativity and Community
The competition culminates in a special invitation-only Gallery Night in May at CTFB. This event will showcase the incredible talent of participating artists and highlight the impact of their work.
In addition to displaying the top submissions, the event will feature the announcement of the People’s Choice Award, allowing the community to play an active role in celebrating these young artists. Stay tuned for details on how to vote starting April 7, 2025.
How You Can Support
The success of the Feeding Creativity Art Competition relies on the support of our community. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
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Spread the Word: Share this opportunity with schools, teachers, and parents in your network.
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Sponsor the Event: Contributions help sustain vital programs and make initiatives like this possible.
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Engage on Social Media: Follow @CentralTexasFoodBank on social platforms and share competition updates to amplify our reach.
Join Us in Creating Change
The Feeding Creativity Art Competition is more than an opportunity for students to showcase their artistic talent. It’s a platform for change, fostering awareness and inspiring action to end hunger in Central Texas. Together, we can ensure that every child has the resources they need to thrive, today and in the future.
For more information on the competition and to submit your artwork, visit the Feeding Creativity Webpage. If you have questions or are interested in sponsoring the event, please email artcomp@centraltexasoodbank.org.
