Pursuing Happiness: Help Answer the 2026 Think-Off Question
Essays Due April 1
Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?
That’s the provocative question at the heart of the 2026 Great American Think-Off, a national philosophy essay contest hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, and organizers are inviting thinkers from across the country to weigh in before the April 1 deadline.
Participants are asked to submit a persuasive essay of 750 words or less that takes a clear position on the question. Writers are encouraged to draw from personal experience, observation, and reflection. The contest is open to everyone, and there is no entry fee.
Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m.)
How to Enter:
Online (preferred): https://www.kulcher.org/think-off/submit-your-essay/
Email: [email protected]
Mail: NYMRCC, PO Box 246, New York Mills, MN 56567
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the phrase “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” remains a defining – and often debated – part of the American story. While the pursuit of happiness has long been seen as a cornerstone of freedom and opportunity, many observers today point to rising levels of loneliness, anxiety, and dissatisfaction as evidence that chasing happiness may sometimes create pressure rather than fulfillment.
The 2026 Great American Think-Off invites participants to explore this tension and offer their own perspective on what it truly means to live well in modern America.
“This question feels especially relevant right now. We’re inviting people from all walks of life to reflect, respond, and be part of this national conversation,” said Betsy Roder, Executive Director.
Four finalists will each receive a $500 cash prize and be invited to travel to New York Mills, Minnesota, to present and debate their ideas before a live audience during the Great American Think-Off Debate on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Travel expenses within the United States will be covered by the Cultural Center, along with lodging and meals for the weekend. Audience members will vote to determine who earns the title of America’s Greatest Thinker.
Founded in 1993, the Great American Think-Off is a nationally recognized philosophy contest that promotes civil discourse, curiosity, and thoughtful debate about life’s biggest questions. Participants from across the United States and beyond, representing a wide range of professions, backgrounds, and perspectives, have taken part in the contest over the past three decades.
For full contest details, historical information, and to learn more about the past 32 years of the Think-Off, visit www.think-off.org or call the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339.
About the Great American Think-Off:
Now in its 33rd year, the Great American Think-Off is an exhibition of civil disagreement between powerful ideas explored by everyday people. Designed to bring philosophy down from the ivory towers of academia and into everyday conversation, the contest has received national recognition, including coverage by C-SPAN, The New York Times, and The Today Show. Produced by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, the Think-Off invites people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in thoughtful dialogue about big ideas. More information, historical details, and a list of past questions and winners can be found at www.think-off.org
About the Cultural Center
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Center has connected people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local while serving as a window to the world. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gallery gift store featuring regional artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of educational programs and community events.For more information, call 218-385-3339 or visit www.kulcher.org.
