Drive-through book giveaway kicks off the 2021 All Kids Included student art contest

All Kids Included, a program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, is hosting a drive-through giveaway of the book “I Believe I Can” to kick off its 2021 district-wide student visual art competition, on Saturday, December 12 from 1 - 3 p.m. The event, held at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay, is free and open to the public.

The theme of the 2021 art contest, "Celebrating Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment," is inspired by the book, “I Believe I Can,” written by Grace Byers and illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo. “I Believe I Can” is an affirmation for boys and girls of every background and ability to love and believe in themselves. The poetic text and beautiful illustrations are an uplifting tribute to the limitless potential of all boys and girls to dream big and achieve their full potential.

The All Kids Included student art competition is held every year in conjunction with the AKI Family Arts Festival, an annual interdisciplinary community arts festival for children and families with or without disabilities. The art contest is open to all Miami-Dade students in grades Pre-K-12. Student artists are invited to submit original artwork depicting the competition theme, "Celebrating Diversity, Inclusion and Empowerment," and are asked to draw on the competition's selected book for inspiration.

Submissions are being accepted now through Miami-Dade County Public Schools art teachers, or individual students can submit their artwork directly at any Miami-Dade Public Library System branches. The 2021 art competition deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021. Contest forms and details are posted on the website.

The All Kids Included initiative promotes inclusive arts and cultural programs in school settings and throughout the community enabling kids of all abilities and their families to participate fully in the arts. It continually raises the bar with excellence in programming that demonstrates and promotes the benefit and importance of inclusionary arts and cultural programs for children and youth. The program is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and in part through grant funding provided by The Children’s Trust. The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County. For more information visit: allkidsincludedmiami.org.

About Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council develop cultural excellence, diversity and participation throughout Miami-Dade County by strategically creating and promoting opportunities for artists and cultural organizations, and our residents and visitors who are their audiences. The Department receives funding through the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Children’s Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of Florida through the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Peacock Foundation, Inc. and The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation. Other support and services are provided by TicketWeb for the Culture Shock Miami program, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the South Florida Cultural Consortium, and the Tourist Development Council. For more information please visit www.miamidadearts.org.