Art Competition

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

The following is a summary of the Congressional Art Competition rules:

The competition is open to high school students (8th-12th grades). Members may choose to include 7th and 8th grade students in the art competition if schools in their districts house 7th through 12th grades on one campus. Teachers and/or students should verify their eligibility with their Member’s office.  Students should enter the competition in the district where they reside, not where they attend school.  Artwork must be the creation of a single student. Students may not collaborate on an entry.

Size Restrictions 

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive in Washington, DC, framed. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the maximum dimensions. 

Acceptable Media  

Work entered must be in the original medium (i.e., not a scanned reproduction of a painting, drawing, etc.). Acceptable media are: 

● Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. 

● Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (Charcoal and pastel must be fixed.) 

● Collages: must be two dimensional 

● Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints 

● Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc. 

● Computer-generated art 

● Photographs Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. 

Any entry copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) created by someone other than the student violates competition rules and will not be accepted. For more information on copyrights, we recommend you visit: https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/how-to-enter/copyright-plagiarism/    

Suitability Guidelines: House Office Building Commission Policy 

Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission (the Commission). In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. Each Member of Congress will be required to submit a Letter of Support confirming that the Member has determined that the winning artwork adheres to the Commission’s policy.  However, if another Member of Congress requests review of any artwork for compliance with the Commission’s policy, the final decision regarding the artwork’s suitability for display will be made by the Commission.  While it is not the intent to 1 censor any artwork, we do wish to avoid artwork that is potentially inappropriate for display in this highly travelled area leading to the Capitol. 

Student Information and Release Form 

Each entrant must submit a Student Information and Release Form. The Student Information and Release Form is available through the office of your Member of Congress. Students should also include contact information that will be valid for several years. (For instance, students, especially seniors, should include a personal email address rather than a school email address.) The second page of the Student Information and Release Form contains legal releases and a certification that the artwork is original in design and execution. The student, an art teacher, and a parent or guardian must sign where appropriate. Entries without signed originality certifications and artwork releases may not be accepted. A TYPED copy of the Student Information and Release Form, signed by the teacher, a parent or guardian, and the student, must be securely attached to the back of the artwork. Please retain a copy for your records. Artwork will hang in Washington, DC, from June 2026 to May 2027. Do submit artwork that will be needed for other purposes during that period. 

The rules, checklist, and release form for the competition are scheduled to be posted in early February on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

Students are required to complete a release form and send them to Conaway.ArtCompetition@mail.house.gov

Access the required form here: 2026 Student Information and Release Form

Important Dates and Timeline

• Art Drop-off:
  TBD

Once we receive a completed release form, we will contact you with more information about how to participate. However, if you would like more general information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition, including this year's deadlines, please submit the following form.