April 15, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Terri McCoy, 465-2564
Montana Teens Kick-off Paint the State 2010
Montana Meth Project Youth Advisory Council, Students, and State Officials
Launch Statewide Public Art Contest and Create Inaugural Mural
MISSOULA, MT—April 15, 2010— Today elected officials, community leaders, and students—led by members of the Montana Meth Project Youth Advisory Council—launched Paint the State 2010 at an event at Big Sky High School in Missoula.
The event was attended by more than 1,000 students, teachers, parents, Montana Meth Project sponsors, and members of the community. Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch joined Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, members of the University of Montana football team and Big Sky High School students to create an inaugural mural to officially launch Paint the State 2010.
“Teens are powerful messengers, and Montana’s young people have already shown us that they are a force for change on this issue,” said Secretary of State Linda McCulloch. “Through their Paint the State artwork, teens have a unique opportunity to speak directly to their friends, and to create a catalyst for dialogue about the risks of methamphetamine use. With their help, I know we can drive Meth out of Montana.”
This year’s contest follows on the success of Paint the State 2006, which prompted thousands of Montana’s teens to create more than 660 works of monumental-scale art with a strong anti-Meth message. The first-ever project of its kind, Paint the State became the largest public art contest in history.
Montana Meth Project Youth Advisory Council
Paint the State is spearheaded by the Montana Meth Project Youth Advisory Council. The Council, comprised of more than 20 teens from across Montana, provides an ongoing youth perspective to the campaign’s research efforts, strategic planning, creative development, and other activities. Council members work in partnership with local teachers and community leaders, law enforcement, prevention specialists , and other Montana Meth Project volunteers to initiate Meth education and community outreach activities in their regions.
About Paint the State
Paint the State 2010 is open to teens ages 13-18. Entrants under 18 must have permission from their parent or guardian to participate. Teens can enter individually or as the leader of a team. To be eligible, each entry must be an original work of art, be displayed publicly, and have a strong anti-Meth message. This can include the “Meth: Not Even Once” logo, tagline or any other anti-Meth theme. Registration for the contest is online at www.PaintTheStateMontana.org. The deadline to register is midnight Montana time on June 30, 2010.
After they have registered, contestants must design and create their public art piece so that it can be publicly displayed from July 19 through at least July 23, 2010. Final submissions, including photos of completed artwork, a written description, and details on its location, must be uploaded by midnight, July 18, 2010, in order to meet the judging deadline. First, second, and third place winners will be selected in each county, as well as one statewide winner. Winners will be announced in Helena on August 20, 2010. Prizes include $5,000 for the statewide winner, and 56 county prizes of $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, $500 for third place.
About the Montana Meth Project
Launched in September 2005, the Montana Meth Project, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Missoula, Montana, implements a range of advertising and community action programs aimed at reducing methamphetamine use in the state. Combining extensive research with a hard-hitting, integrated media campaign, it has been repeatedly cited as an effective response to a devastating social problem. For more information, visit www.montanameth.org.
Read Secretary of State Linda McCulloch's remarks on the Meth Project.