Have you ever looked at a blank wall (or, in this case, a 28-foot trailer) and thought, “That should be a work of art”? Now’s your chance to prove it! The Workforce Development Institute (WDI) is calling on Michigan high-school artists—yep, grades 9 through 12—to design a show-stopping vinyl wrap for its brand-new “Trades of Today & Tomorrow” outreach trailer. First prize? $5,000 cash and bragging rights that roll down every highway in the state. The runner-up pockets $2,500—not too shabby for a single piece of art. Facebook
Why This Trailer Matters
WDI’s mobile exhibit isn’t just a cool box on wheels. Inside, students will find interactive demos that spotlight careers in:
- Renewable energy and clean tech
- Electric-vehicle manufacturing
- Construction & skilled trades
- Water infrastructure
The trailer will travel to schools, colleges, and community events across Michigan, opening young eyes to the careers that literally build our future. Your artwork will be the first thing every visitor sees—talk about making an entrance!
What Your Design Should Capture
Think of the trailer wrap as a giant storybook page. WDI is looking for imagery that shouts:
- Workforce diversity—people of all backgrounds building together
- Tools of the trade—welders, hard hats, circuit boards, blueprints
- Michigan pride—landmarks (hello, Mackinac Bridge!), forests, lakes
- Sustainability & forward vision—wind turbines, solar arrays, EVs
- Big-hearted themes—strength, hope, fulfillment, solidarity
If your art sparks curiosity, celebrates community, and hints at the high-tech trades of tomorrow, you’re on the right track.
Entry Basics (Easy-Peasy Checklist)
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Who can enter? | Michigan students in 9th–12th grade |
| File format | Digital design (high-res PDF, AI, or PSD preferred) |
| Deadline | Check the official portal for the final upload date |
| Prizes | 1st – $5,000 • Runner-up – $2,500 |
| Where to submit | miwdi.org/tradestrailerartcontest (QR code on the flyer) |
Tip: Don’t wait until the night before—large files take time to upload!
How Winners Are Picked
A panel of artists, trade professionals, and community leaders will score each entry on:
- Creativity & visual impact
- Connection to the contest themes
- Technical quality (think clarity when printed oversize)
- Overall storytelling
Nail those four points and your art could cruise past thousands of eyes every year.
Ready to Roll?
Grab your sketchbook, tablet, or trusty ball-point pen and start doodling. Imagine your design stretched across a trailer wall, sparking conversations about clean energy, cutting-edge tech, and the skilled workers our state needs. Then head to miwdi.org/tradestrailerartcontest to read the full rules and upload your masterpiece.
Michigan’s future workforce is counting on your creativity—let’s make something that moves people, literally and figuratively. Good luck, artists! 🎉
(P.S. Share your progress on social with the hashtag #TradesTrailerArt so we can cheer you on!)