Macon-Bibb County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is calling on young artists to put their creativity to work and help teach the community about emergency preparedness.

EMA is now accepting entries for its annual Children’s Art Contest for the 2027 Emergency Preparedness Calendar. All Macon-Bibb County students in grades K-12, regardless of where they attend school, are invited to participate.

“This contest is a great way to get our young people thinking about what it means to be prepared while also giving them an opportunity to help educate the entire community,” says EMA Director Spencer Hawkins. “Preparedness starts with conversations at home, and we hope these students will use their creativity to encourage their families and neighbors to think about what they would do before, during, and after an emergency.”

Selected artwork will be featured throughout the 2027 calendar, which will also provide important information and tips to help families prepare for emergencies and disasters. EMA has used previous calendars to encourage residents to make a plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed.

Students can draw or paint anything related to preparedness actions, natural disasters, or man-made disasters. Artwork may be created using paint, pen or pencil, pastels, crayons, or any combination of those materials.

All artwork must be submitted on 8.5-by-11-inch drawing or construction paper and must be created horizontally.

The deadline to submit artwork is September 30, 2026. Students interested should talk to their teacher or art teach at their school. The application should be printed, filled out, and returned to their school.

Click here for more information and to see the application.