Each spring, high school students in our district compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed in Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. This is part of the House of Representatives Congressional Arts Competition for high school students across America.

The 2010 Congressional Art Competition provides an excellent forum for demonstrating the important role that the arts play in our society. It also gives high school students in the Fifth Congressional District an opportunity to show their impressive artistic talents.

Students in grades 9-12 who wish to enter the competition should submit their art work, label, student release form (below) , and a one-paragraph artist statement to: Perpich Center for Arts Education (PCAE), 6125 Olson Memorial Highway in Golden Valley, MN 55422. Entries are accepted during normal business hours until Wednesday March 31st, 2010. Artwork must be delivered by hand. All entries must be received by 4:00PM on March 31st, 2010.

Follow these steps:

1. Make sure that you reside in the Fifth Congressional District
2. Read and follow these Guidelines
3. Fill out this Label and follow these Directions for Delivery
4. Fill out this Student Release Form and include in packaged artwork

All contestants will have their art work exhibited in the Art Exhibition at PCAE Gallery for approximately one month. Then, on Monday May 3rd, 2010 from 6-8 pm, Congressman Keith Ellison will host the Arts Education Forum and awards reception at PCAE for all contestants, their families, art teachers, contest judges, and the public. There the congressman will announce the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place winners, as well as Honorable Mentions. The winning artwork from Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year. The 2nd- and 3rd-place winners will have their art displayed at his Congressional Offices in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact our Arts Community representative Betty Folliard at (612) 522-1212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .