Congressional Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by The Congressional Institute. The competition invites high school students to create 2-D artwork. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and the winners are recognized in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Their works will also be displayed for one year at the U.S Capitol. 

Interested in the competition?

Competition Overview

High school students, exceptions may be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus

Eligibility

Free

Entry Fee

Every April

Submission Deadline

📌 Note: Aralia is not the organizer of this competition. For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer directly to the competition organizer. Aralia provides listings and information about competitions for student reference. Aralia is an online education platform offering competition preparation classes to students worldwide.

Competition Details

1. Artwork Requirements

Size & Weight: Maximum framed dimensions: 26” x 26” x 4”; weight under 15 pounds. Artwork must be two-dimensional.

Media Accepted:

Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc. 
Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastel, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.) 
Collages: must be two-dimensional 
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints 
Mixed Media: use of more than two media such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc. 
Computer-generated art 
Photographs

2. Submission Details

Theme: Sports in America

One submission per student. Winners must frame their artwork according to size and weight rules. Framed submissions are recommended before the deadline.

3. 2026 Deadline by state