The Mason District Arts Council, a volunteer organization of our local art community, is convening a series of community art events in June 2026 to reflect on America’s 250th. The focus of these arts events is to reimagine the ideas of the American Revolution and engage the public through the arts.

As part of this effort, we are inviting adults and high school students to submit to our poetry contest. The contest is open to anyone with a connection to Fairfax County, VA. Winners will have the opportunity to read their poems at Mason District art events in June.

Deadline: May 9th, 2026

Submission Instructions

Deadline: May 9th, 2026

Prompt: In 1883 Emma Lazarus wrote The New Colossus to support the efforts to build the foundation for the Statue of Liberty. The famous lines of her poem read: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..”

Read the New Colossus and use it as a spark for your own poem.  Engage with this prompt and interpret it in your own way. 

Engage with this prompt and interpret it in your own way. For example, your poem could be a reaction to any of the ideas in The New Colossus. Or you could react to a specific image or phrase in the poem.

*You can read more about Emma Lazarus here.*

Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines carefully.

1. Submissions are open through May 9, 2026.

2. The contest is open to adults and high school students. You must have some connection to Fairfax County, Falls Church City, or Fairfax City (i.e. live, lived, school, work etc.)

3. No use of any AI tools for creating or modifying your submission.

4. You may only submit one (1) poem.

5. You may submit a poem in any language. However, all poems must include an English translation. The panel will judge the English translation. Winners may read their poems in both languages.

6. Your poem must be unpublished.

7. Poems must be 30 lines or less.

8. You may not submit your poem elsewhere during the duration of the contest (through June 30th, 2026).

9. Do not include your name on the page with your poem.

Formatting:

• Spacing: Double

• Margins: 1 inch 

• Font: Arial, 12 points

• File type: PDF  (recommended) or Microsoft Word readable

• Line Maximum: 30 Lines

File Name: Please save your submission using the following naming convention:

• Name of Poem_(HS or Adult) 

• For example: The Night Sky_HS or The Night Sky_Adult

Submitting: Email your poem to masonpoetrycontest@gmail.com by May 9th 2026.

You must include the following information in the text of your email

• Your Name:

• Title of your poem:

• Email address:

• A short bio: (200 words or less):

• Your connection to Fairfax County: (i.e. work, live, school, etc.)

• Contest Category: (Adult or Highschool)

Questions: Email Lisa at masonpoetrycontest@gmail.com.

Judging: Winning poems in each category (High School and Adult) will be selected by a panel of judges. Depending on the number of entries we may have a number of honorable mentions.

We will announce winners in late May. Winners will receive gift cards and be invited to read their poems at local Mason District art events in June 2026. Additionally, winning poems may be published on the Mason District Arts Council website (coming soon).

The New Colossus

by Emma Lazarus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"