YOUR ART ON THE NATIONAL MALL IN WASHINGTON DC
Enter The Headache Alliance’s inaugural “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” contest for a chance to have your art featured on the National Mall alongside 30,000 purple flags to raise awareness for headache disorders nationally and internationally.
What is “Make Art, Make Headache Visible,” and why is it important?
“Make Art, Make Headache Visible” is a new initiative by The Headache Alliance (THA) to raise awareness and funding for research, prevention, and treatment of debilitating headache disorders — which impact more than 40 million Americans per year, often starting in their high school years — through art.
In its inaugural year, THA’s “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” is inviting high school students to submit art inspired by its mission across a wide range of genres — visual (2D) or writing (short story, essay, or poem- max words 500) — to be featured alongside a massive installation of purple flags on the National Mall and on the THA website, emails, and social media channels in June 2025.
Nobody is immune from headache disorders. Historical luminaries like Shakespeare and Van Gogh are said to have lived with headache, and so do present-day celebrities including Serena Williams, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lady Gaga. By using your creativity to raise awareness of headache disorders, you have the opportunity to change countless lives for the better.
Why should I enter? What’s in it for me?
You mean the chance to have your artwork seen on the National Mall isn’t enough? Just kidding ☺. There are so many good reasons! Here are a few to consider:
- Creativity for a Cause: Headache disorder patients often feel invisible, or that their disability is not taken seriously. Participate in “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” and enable millions of headache disorder patients to feel seen, heard, and understood. Whether it be for yourself, a close friend, a family member, or even Serena Williams — your art can make a huge difference!
- It Feels Good: If you already enjoy the creative arts — drawing, painting, sculpting, photography, writing, and more — you know how much fun and how rewarding it can be anytime you create something new. Now imagine that your creativity can also help 40 million Americans and many more throughout the world. Now that must *really* feel good.
- Recognition: There is the chance to be featured on the National Mall and on the THA’s website and social media!
- Bragging Rights: Whether you simply share your participation with family and friends, you write about it in a college admissions essay, or just use it to cheer yourself on through challenging times, your participation in “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” is definitely something to take pride in!
- Swag: Who doesn’t love swag? If your artwork is chosen, THA will send you some of our branded swag!
How do I enter the contest? What are the rules?
Entering the contest is simple. Here are the rules and some tips!
Theme
- Your artwork must be inspired by the wish to heal headache disorders.
Format
Your artwork:
- Can come in a wide range of media and materials, including the following*:
- Visual
- 2D: Painting, drawing, printmaking, poster, photography, collage. (Scanned or photographed)
- 3D**: Sculpture, pottery, origami, weaving, felting, sewing. (Must be photographed.)
- Must incorporate the color purple (Migraine and Headache Awareness Month’s signature color) in some way
- Written
- A short story, essay, or poem of no more than 500 words
- Please note that AI-generated artwork or writing will not be accepted.
- Visual
*If you would like to use a medium or material not included in the above list, please reach out to confirm that it is acceptable.
** 3D artworks should be photographed and originally submitted via jpeg or png file. If you submit a 3D artwork and it is chosen to be featured on the National Mall, we will display the photograph, not the original artwork.
Submission requirements and deadline
- Must upload the following file to the THA’s Google Drive by April 30, 2025.
- A high-resolution JPEG or PNG (visual art) or PDF (if written).
You must have parental consent to enter the contest. You will be asked to submit your parent’s name and email address for verification purposes.
OK, I’ve decided to enter. Can you provide some thought starters to help me get my creative juices flowing?
Of course! Here are some prompts you can use, and of course feel free you come up with yourself.
- If you personally live with a headache disorder, how does it make you feel? Do any images come to mind? How do you feel when your headache goes away? Do different images come to mind with this question? How would you feel if there was a treatment that would make it so you would never experience a serious headache again? Do different images come to mind with this prompt?
- If you have a loved one(s) who lives with a headache disorder, consider interviewing them and asking them the following questions and include their reflections in your artwork.
- “How do you feel when you have a really bad headache? Are there any particular words, thoughts, or images that come to mind?”
- “How does it make you feel to know that more people might become aware of headache disorders as a result of my art project? Do any words, thoughts, or images come to mind for that?”
- “How does it make you feel that ‘Make Art, Make Headache Visible,’ along with other THA initiatives, are working relentlessly to raise awareness and funding to prevent and cure headache disorders here and abroad. Do any words, thoughts, or images come to mind?”
- How might verse from one of Shakespeare’s plays be different, if at all, if he hadn’t suffered from a headache disorder?
- How might one of Van Gogh’s paintings look different, if at all, if he hadn’t suffered from a headache disorder?
- Does the research and/or data around headache disorders provide any inspiration for your artwork? If so, don’t hesitate to use it!
If I have questions about my artwork along the way, or want some input on it, is there anyone I can ask?
Ask your art teacher or your school’s art department. While this project is not associated with a specific art class (and therefore can be open to all high school students whether they are currently taking an art class or not), your art department may be able to provide mentorship and advice where necessary.
When will my art be posted on the THA website and social media channels?
Your artwork will go live in June 2025. We will inform you of the exact date via an email that will be sent a couple of days beforehand.
When will I find out if my art will be displayed on the National Mall?
You will find out if your artwork has been chosen for display by May 15, 2025.
If my art is chosen to be displayed on the National Mall, when exactly will that happen?
If your art is chosen to accompany our flag installation on the National Mall, this will also happen in June 2025. We will email you as soon as we have the precise date.
Other things you may want to know:
How long has the Headache Alliance been doing this?
This is the first year THA will be sponsoring “Make Art, Make Headache Visible.” By participating, you will truly be a pioneer and help build momentum for our very important cause.
I understand that “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” will be in its first year. Is the same true of the flag installation on the National Mall?
Yes! It will also be the first time for the flag installation. Because of this, we are likely to get thousands of visitors to the Mall to see the installation, and possibly your artwork!
Who is allowed to submit artworks? Are students enrolled in home school eligible?
Any high school student, including those who are home schooled, are eligible.
Can two artworks be entered by the same student?
We can only accept one artwork per student.
Who will be judging my artwork?
Your artwork will be judged by the Executive Director of the Headache Alliance as well as a panel of volunteers!
What are the criteria for judging my artwork?
Your submission will be judged on the following:
- The degree to which your work relates to the “Make Art, Make Headache Visible” theme
- Its creativity
Do you accept group entries?
We can only accept entries from individual students at this time.
I don’t live in the DC area, but I found out about the contest and I want to participate. Can I enter? Yes. This contest is open to all high school students living in the United States.
