The Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission, part of the Governor’s Office of Minority Empowerment, is seeking nominations for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Citizenship Award, along with essays and artwork for the esteemed King Award.

The theme for the contest essays, poetry and artwork is “In His Footsteps … The Dream Today.” The art contest is open to kindergarten through 12th-grade students, and the essay and poetry contest is open to fourth through 12th-grade students. Entries of essays, poems, or two-dimensional artwork should reflect Dr. King’s legacy of “service to explore innovative approaches to rise and reach desired goals.”

The citizenship award is given to an individual who embodies the spirit and energy of the late civil rights leader. The criteria for nominees include persons who have demonstrated leadership and achievement toward the principles of racial equality, interracial harmony, economic justice, participation in Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observances and dedication to King’s dream.

Artwork, essays, and poems must be received by Nov. 21. All entries must be properly labeled and addressed to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards, 700 Capitol Ave., Suite 138, Frankfort, KY 40601. The deadline for receipt of citizenship award nominations is Dec. 3, 2014. All winners will be recognized at the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Celebration in Frankfort on Jan. 15. For information and guidelines on all awards, please visit www.ome.ky.gov.