Global Partners: Running Waters, Inc. is proud to announce its World Water Day 2026 Postcard Art Contest for Greater Milwaukee Area high school and college students. Participants are invited to design a postcard inspired by the World Water Day 2026 theme, “Where water flows, equality grows.” The winning student will receive a $100 cash prize, and the selected design will be printed for our World Water Day celebration on April 18, 2026 at Mount Mary University! Winners (and two guests) will be honored at our event.
DEADLINE EXTENDED Submission Deadline: April 4, 2026 at 4 PM CST. Please read competition eligibility, rules and submission instructions in full before submitting below.
Award Amounts
First Place $100
Second Place $50
Third Place $50
2026 Theme: Where water flows, equality grows
The global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally. Where people lack safe drinking water and sanitation close to home, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt.
They collect water.
They manage water.
They care for people made sick by unsafe water.
They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities.
And too often, the systems that govern water leave women and girls out of decision-making, leadership, funding and representation. This makes the water crisis a women’s crisis.
College or high school students enrolled in a Greater Milwaukee Area school at the time of submission.
Students under the age of 18 require parental consent (see form). Students under the age of 18 will be credited only by first name and age on public platforms. Entries without a completed parental consent form (for students under 18) will not be eligible for judging.
Definition of College Student for competition purposes: Be enrolled in a 2- or 4- year higher education program in the Greater Milwaukee Area at the time of submission.
Eligible schools include (but are not limited to) the following:
Mount Mary University
Marquette University
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College
Alverno College
Concordia University
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design
If you are unsure of your eligibility, please reach out to communications@gprwaters.org
Format: Artwork must not exceed 4″x6″ or 1200×1800 pixels (300 DPI). Artwork may be hand-drawn and scanned, photographed or digitally created. JPEG/PNG formats are accepted.
Originality: Must be the student’s own creation, no copies or copyrighted material. Digital artwork may use copyright-free images. Artwork generated entirely from Artificial Intelligence is highly discouraged to succeed in the competition.
No member of Global Partners: Running Waters, Inc. (or relative of a member) is eligible to enter the competition.
Students grant Global Partners: Running Waters, Inc. permission to reproduce images of the artwork for non-commercial promotional purposes, including use on the organization’s website, social media, and related publicity for World Water Day 2026. All artwork will be credited to the student. Students under the age of 18 will only be referred to by first name and age. Copyright remains with the student.
The deadline for submission is April 4, 2026 4:00 PM CST.
Artwork may only be submitted through the online form below. Submissions by email or mail will not be considered. If experiencing difficulties with form, contact communications@gprwaters.org with the subject line “WWD 2026 Art Contest”.
Required Submission Materials
- High-quality scan, photograph or digital file (JPEG/PNG)
- <= 100 word written response of what the theme “Where water flows, equality grows” means to you and your Post Card Design. The format of your response is flexible depending on the student. In addition to paragraph-form prose, poetry, prayer, etc. are accepted.
- Completed Parental Consent Form (if under 18)
Upload all materials, and complete online form below.
Winners will be notified prior to or on April 7, 2026. All submissions will be displayed and awardees will be honored at the annual World Water Day event held at Mount Mary University on April 18, 2026.