Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Congressional Institute. 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 Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students nationwide have participated.
The Competition is open to all high school students in the District. The overall winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include winning artwork from every other participating Congressional District.
Entry Requirements
Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. 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 above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.
To enter the Competition, students must fill out the 2nd District Congressional Art Competition Submission Form, as well as the Student Information and Release form. Please attach the form to the back of the artwork and deliver or arrange for it to be picked up by one of the Congressman’s staff by April 4th, 2025.
This year’s competition art show will be held at the Longmont Museum.
Please email Max.Coker@mail.house.gov with any questions regarding competition participation.
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, 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 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 that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. For more information on copyright laws, we recommend you visit the Scholastic Website.
For the comprehensive list of rules and regulations governing the Congressional Art Contest, please see Rules and Regulations for Students and Teachers here.
Submission Instructions
- Complete the 2nd District Congressional Art Competition Submission Form 2025 by April 4th, 2025, to be entered into the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.
- Fill out and attach the Student Information & Release Form to your submission.
- Attach a photograph of your artwork to your submission form.
- You may enter multiple pieces into the competition, in fact, we encourage it! Please complete the required paperwork for each submission.
Artwork Collection
Submitted artwork with the completed Student Information & Release Form affixed to the back, is due at any of our three District offices by April 4th, 2025.
- Boulder Office: 2503 Walnut St #300, Boulder, CO 80302
- Fort Collins Office: 1220 S College Ave Unit 100A, Fort Collins, CO 80521
- Frisco Office: 620 E Main St, Frisco, CO 80443
All art submissions will hang exhibition-style in a public venue in the 2nd Congressional District prior to the awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced.
Required Submission Materials:
For questions related to the Congressional Art Competition please contact Max.Coker@mail.house.gov