Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee

3rd Annual César E. Chávez Birthday Celebration

Free Event Virtual Event
March 31st, 2021 @ 1pm

This annual event focuses on educating our communities about the legacy of César E. Chávez, an unselfish advocate of social justice and respect for human dignity. The César E. Chávez Birthday Celebration programming highlights the youth in our community. Building on the success of the Marcus Center’s Dr. King Birthday Celebration, we engage young people from schools throughout the region through art, essay and spoken word contests.

In 2021, we are pleased to take this event virtual – expanding our reach and impact. Various cultural organizations will take center stage, demonstrating the excellence and resilience of our arts and education communities.

How to View the Celebration

The César E. Chávez. Birthday Celebration is organized by a steering committee of community members, school representatives, corporate leaders, and Marcus Center staff. This community event is free and open to the public.

In 2021, this event will be streamed on Wednesday, March 31, beginning at 1:00 pm, on this site. There are no tickets or reservations required to attend this event.

Partnership Opportunities

Join us as a partner for the 3rd Annual César E. Chávez Birthday Celebration! Your support as a Marcus Center Partner will fund access to the arts in our community, influence audience diversity, and create investment in the cultural landscape of our region.

Funding opportunities are available at a variety of levels. For more information, download our Partnership Overview or contact give@marcuscenter.org.

Steering Committee

For more information about the Steering Committee for the César E. Chávez Celebration, please contact Anthony D. Smith, Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion, at 414.273.7121 or email.

Images From Past César E. Chávez Birthday Celebrations

  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee
  • Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee

Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration at the Marcus Center in Milwaukee

César E. Chávez was an activist who fought for equal rights for farm workers across the United States beginning in the 1960s until his death in 1993. 

He, with Dolores Huerta, founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) Union where he fought for civil rights for Latinos and farmworkers. He believed in nonviolent demonstrations and civil disobedience, including protests, marches, and fasts, with his longest fast being 36 days.  César E. Chávez inspired others to fight using nonviolent methods and to stand up for their rights. 

Si Se Puede

The infamous phrase “Si Se Puede” (It Can Be Done) was coined during this movement and is still used to unite the Latino community in their fight for la causa (the cause).

How can a student participate in the contests?

CONTEST DEADLINES:

All entries must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, March 15th, 2021.
Entries submitted after 5pm will not be considered for prizes.

CONTEST ELIGIBILITY:

The contests are open to all students in grades K-12; who are enrolled in either public or private school. 

GRADE LEVEL CATEGORIES
•   Grades K-2: individual entries
•   Grades 3-5:individual entries
•   Grades 6-8:individual entries
•   Grades 9-12:individual entries

CONTEST PRIZES:

First, second, and third place art contest winners will receive an engraved plaque and prizes valued up to $100.

ART CONTEST:

ARTWORK CRITERIA:

• Entries must address the contest theme.
• Entries must represent student’s personal ideas, work and experiences.
• Entries must not be a photocopy or tracing of an existing photo, the image must be manipulated in some way.
• Entries will be judged on the basis of clearly expressed, creative ideas representing Chávez and ability level.

To participate in the César E. Chávez Art Contest you must complete the 2021 contest form HERE.
SPOKEN WORD CONTEST:

SPOKEN WORD CRITERIA:

• Entries must address the theme.
• Entries should relate the student’s own personal ideas or experiences to the topic and show an understanding of Mr. Chávez’s ideals.
• Entries must not be a biographical sketch of Mr. Chávez.
• Entries will be judged on the basis of clearly expressed, creative ideas.
In judging entries,emphasis will be placed on clarity, creativity, and originality.

Correct usage of basic grammar and writing skills will also be considered.

To participate in the César E. Chávez Spoken Word Contest you must complete the 2021 contest form HERE.
WRITING CONTEST:

WRITING CRITERIA:

• Entries must address the theme.
• Entries should relate the student’s own personal ideas or experiences to the topic and show an understanding of Mr. Chávez’s ideals.
• Entries must not be a biographical sketch of Mr. Chávez.
• Entries will be judged on the basis of clearly expressed, creative ideas.

In judging entries, emphasis will be placed on clarity, creativity, and originality.

Correct usage of basic grammar and writing skills will also be considered.

To participate in the César E. Chávez Writing Contest you must complete the 2021 contest form HERE.
2020 CONTEST WINNER STUDENT GALLERY:
Visit here to view student contest winners from The César E. Chávez Birthday Celebration, 2020.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!