2026 Competition Details Updated!
For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer to the competition organizer. Aralia provides competition information for student reference and is not affiliated with the competition organizer.
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.
Aralia does not currently offer a preparation class for this competition.
Competition Overview
Eligibility
High school students, exceptions may be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus
Entry Fee
Free
Submission Deadline
Every April
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
- California: April 18
- Colorado: March 16
- Hawai’i: April 24
- Idaho: April 10
- Maryland: April 17
- Michigan: April 10
- Nebraska: March 7
- South Carolina: March 3
- Texas: March 15
Deadlines for other states are being updated.
Class Recommendation
Prepare to compete at the highest level