Due Something: Inspire Justice

Due Something: Inspire Justice is a statewide, multidisciplinary art contest inviting young creators to reflect on and respond to how due process is woven throughout the foundational pillars of our democracy.

Open to art creatives ages 18–30, the contest seeks original artwork that explores the meaning and importance of due process to our civil liberties and freedoms. The principle of due process is so integral to American democracy that it appears in both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. We want artists to explore the truths and aspirations of due process, especially as it pertains to fairness and civic participation, particularly within immigrant, Black, TLGBQ+, and historically excluded communities.

Winners will be announced on 5/14 as part of the inaugural “ACLU of Pennsylvania’s Due Process Day,” a day designed to educate and encourage young people to know their rights and have a voice in our democracy.

Selected works will not only receive professional compensation but will also be featured as part of a large-scale public awareness campaign in Pennsylvania, amplifying young Pennsylvania voices across digital, print, and community platforms.

Submission link coming soon!

• Ages: 18–30
• Open to creators across disciplines and sectors
• Residents of Pennsylvania or artists with strong ties to PA communities

• Visual art (illustration, painting, drawing, collage)
• Graphic design/posters
• Photography
• Written poetry or recorded spoken word
• Video: less than 3 minutes
• Original Song/Music

All art must be submitted digitally.

Due process is a fundamental constitutional guarantee that the government cannot deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without fair procedures and legal protections. It is a pillar of our democracy and quintessential to how we maintain our freedoms. Due process protects our civil liberties in critical ways:

• Voting Rights: Protects your ability to participate in democracy by requiring fair procedures, adequate notice, and the opportunity to be heard before the government can restrict or remove your right to vote
• Immigrant Rights: Guarantees all people—not just citizens—the right to hearings, legal representation, and the chance to present their case before deportation or detention
• Indigent Defense: Ensures anyone accused of a crime receives an effective lawyer, regardless of income, so they can truly challenge the government's case against them

Through your chosen art form, explore how due process protects all who call Pennsylvania home.