Art Competition

This nationwide art competition, AN ARTISTIC DISCOVERY, has been coordinated and conducted by Members of the House of Representatives in their own districts since 1981. The competition is open to high school students and provides Members of Congress and the public the opportunity to recognize the artistic talents of our youth.

Each year, the high schools in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District are invited to submit original student artwork. A panel of judges, distinguished in the arts, selects the first, second and third place winners. Final selection is usually in the month of May. Teachers and students should keep this competition in mind as they plan their art projects.

The artwork of the first place winners from every participating Congressional district nationwide is prominently displayed for one year in the Cannon Corridor. The corridor connects the Cannon House Office Building to the United States Capitol. Be sure to view the display when you're visiting our Nation's Capital.

An Artistic Discovery General Guidelines

The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades in one building.

Artwork categories are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
• Collage: must be two-dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, etc.
• Computer generated art
• Photography

Art work must meet the following specifications:

• Artwork must be two-dimensional
• Each piece can be no larger than 28 inches by 28 including the frame
• No more than 4 inches in depth
• Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs

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

A copy of the Student Release Form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

• A copy of the Student Release Form must be attached to the back of the artwork along with an adhesive label as shown.
• Please use the largest label you have available.

Adhesive Label

Member Name:

State and District:

Title of Piece:

Medium:

Student Name:

Student Address and Phone Number:

**Note: Any entry, which has been copied from an existing photo (not the students own), painting, graphic, advertisement or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing)

Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to students any earlier. Students, therefore should submit artwork they will not need for any other purposes.

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition - including this year's deadlines - please submit the following form.

* indicates information that you need to provide.