The American Heritage Committee was established to preserve our rich and diverse creative heritage through artistic endeavors. Daughters may celebrate their art through participation in contests sponsored by the committee.
The American Heritage Committee theme for 2023-2024:
“Celebrating the Stars and Stripes - Forever in Our Hearts Through the Arts”
Historic Dress: Belle Epoch era, 1890–1899, in commemoration of the Spanish-American War.
Our talented and creative Daughters may participate in contests in the areas of art and sculpture, crafts, fiber arts, literature and drama, music, photography and jewelry.
Please carefully read the instructions for each contest. The instructions may be found on the American Heritage Committee page under Member Resources on the national DAR website. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER MEMBER MAY BE SUBMITTED IN THE AMERICAN HERITAGE CONTEST AS AN INDIVIDUAL ENTRY. (For example, you may not submit an entry in Fiber Arts and another entry in Literature & Drama. Choose one contest only).
All entries must be submitted electronically with the American Heritage Contest Entry Form. This form may be found in the Member’s Section of the Virginia DAR Website, under Forms and Documents, Award Contests, American Heritage Committee, and on the American Heritage Committee page of the national DAR website.
Fiber arts entries must be emailed to the State Chair at adbeer76@gmail.com by January 15, 2024.
Art and sculpture, crafts, literature and drama, music, photography and jewelry entries must be emailed to the appropriate National Vice Chair between January 2, 2024 and February 15, 2024. Email addresses for the National Vice Chairs can be found on the American Heritage Committee page on the national DAR website. Please also send a copy of the contest entry form only to the State Chair.
The American Heritage Committee also works to preserve our rich American heritage in the arts by awarding the Women in the Arts Recognition Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor outstanding achievement by women in non-performance arts including fiber arts, fine arts, sculpture design and creation, music composition, and literature and drama authorship. It also honors artisan design and creation including, but not limited to, jewelry, metal work, decorative painting and pottery. DAR members, non-members, and professional women in the arts are eligible for this award. The award may be presented by a chapter or a state society.
This is a non-competitive award. There are no timelines for applications.
The American Heritage Committee page of the national DAR website has complete information about this contest and how to nominate a woman for this award.
Application forms can be found in the Member’s Section of the Virginia DAR Website, under Forms and Documents, Award Contests, American Heritage Committee, and on the American Heritage Committee page of the national DAR website.
Please remember to review the contest instructions on National’s website before submitting your Fiber Arts entry.
If you have questions or need clarification about any of the American Heritage Committee contests, please contact State Chair Ann Beer or State Vice Chair Kim Defibaugh for more information.