The 2026 Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open!

drawing of youth art

This year, the Afterschool Alliance is looking for artwork that captures the spirit of afterschool programs. Has your program helped you discover a new passion, build a new skill, or make a new friend? Show us what makes your afterschool community special and what it means to you through your art!

The winning artwork will be printed on more than 50,000 posters displayed at over 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events worldwide. This is a powerful opportunity for your program to gain national recognition.

The winning artist will:
- Receive a $500 grand prize
- Be featured on the Afterschool Alliance website and blog
- Be included in a national press release
- Have their program credited on the official 2026 poster

To enter the contest:
- Fill out this entry form and send it, along with your artwork, to Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest, 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005
- Or, email your artwork to [email protected]

The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is open to everyone. If you know of a program that may be interested, please spread the word! The deadline for submissions is June 18, 2026. For the full list of do's and don'ts (and helpful tips on creating a winning design), visit the Afterschool Snack.

The Benefits of Membership

Becoming a member of the Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance is FREE and comes with some benefits.  Members will gain access to exclusive discussion boards and receive early notifications about discounts and special offers. Join us in supporting school-age programming with your membership! 

Please note: Due to changes in available funding at the state level, we are no longer able to offer reduced registration rates for Alternative Pathway courses.

Join Today

OST Resource Center

The Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance is here to provide supports and resources to YOU and YOUR PROGRAM through our OST Resource Center.  The Resource Center contains content on topics such as: Mental and Emotional WellnessSustaining a Program, Behavior GuidanceSTEM and more - as well as links to YouTube and Buzzsprout!  In addition to content, you can request personalized technical assistance using the Email Us button found in Quick Links. We are here to help you - so let's get started!  

OST Resource Center STEM