High School Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition. The Congressional Art Competition - An Artistic Discovery is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in each congressional district. The contest is open to all high school students. The over-all winner of each participating district will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

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, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the competition.

High school students in the Fifth Congressional District compete for the honor of having their artwork displayed in Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. This is part of the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Arts Competition for high school students across America.

Students in grades 9-12 (and 7th and 8thgraders who attend schools with grades 7-12) who wish to enter the competition need to submit their student release form (below) and a one-paragraph artist statement to Sean Broom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 4:00 pm on Monday, April 1, 2013. Artwork should be dropped off by Friday, March 29 at Representative Ellison's office, 2100 Plymouth Ave N. Minneapolis, MN 55411.

Students and teachers, please follow these steps:

1. Make sure that the student resides in -- or attends school in -- the Fifth Congressional District
2. Read and follow these guidelines
3. E-mail this student release form and one paragraph artist statement to Sean Broom by April 1st.
4. Fill out this label and follow these directions for delivery

Additional information:

1. Students are welcome to submit their artwork either framed or unframed.
2. The overall (first place) winner’s artwork must be framed as per the Congressional Art Caucus’ guidelines. If it is not framed when it is submitted to Congressman Ellison’s, the office will frame it at our discretion.
3. Please note that the winning piece of artwork and frame must be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, to the outside of the frame, and 15 pounds in weight.
4. The overall (first place) winner will be invited to attend the Congressional Art Competition’s reception on in Washington, D.C. Additional details about this opportunity will be provided to the first place winner after the forum on Monday, April 22nd.

On Monday, April 22nd from 6:30-8:30 pm, Congressman Keith Ellison will host the Arts Education Forum and awards reception at the UROC Building for all contestants, their families, art teachers, contest judges, and the public. There the congressman will announce the overall (first-), second-, and third-place winners. The overall winner’s artwork from Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year. The second- and third-place winners will have their art displayed in Congressman Ellison’s offices in Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis respectively.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Congressman Ellison’s arts community representative, Sean Broom, at (612) 522-1212 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .