Congressional Art Competition

Update: 2018 Winner Bailey Annis

Congratulations to Bailey Annis of Idaho Falls, the Second District of Idaho's winner of this year's Congressional Art Competition.  Congressman Simpson's press release can be found here.





Congressional Art Contest Winner2020 Congressional Art Competition

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson invites high school students across the second congressional district to enter the 2020 High School Congressional Art Competition. This annual competition encourages Idaho's aspiring student artists to showcase their talents to the public, while recognizing their achievements alongside hundreds of other students and members of Congress from across the country. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Students that enter the competition will have a chance to win a round trip flight to Washington D.C. to attend a special reception and see their artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building. One grand-prize winner from Congressman Simpson’s district will be selected during a local reception in March, and will visit Washington D.C. in June.

2020 Competition Theme
My Idahome - 130 years of Statehood

Official Rules, Guidelines, and Deadlines

The United States House of Representatives and the Congressional Institute are the sponsors of this national competition. The grand-prize winner from Idaho will be selected by a panel of artist from the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, in consultation with Congressman Simpson. The grand prize winner and one guest will fly on Southwest Airlines to Washington D.C. for the unveiling ceremony in June, 2020. Additional awards and recognition will be presented during a local reception for all students who enter.

Artists interested in participating must deliver or send their artwork to one of Congressman Simpson’s district offices (see below) before 4:00 p.m. on February 27th. Once artwork is submitted, the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho will commission a panel of experts to jury all submissions. All submitted artwork will be showcased from March 7th - March 28th during the Museum’s Young at Art exhibit. The grand-prize winner will be announced during a reception on March 19th in Idaho Falls. 

Artwork Guidelines

  • Two-dimensional artwork only.
  • Maximum artwork dimensions are 26” high x 26” wide x 4” thick. 
  • The grand prize print will be professionally framed at no cost, but should be at least 4” smaller than the maximum dimensions above to allow for a frame.
  • Entries should be matted for hanging. Black or neutral toned matting is suggested.
  • Artwork must be original in concept and design, and may not violate U.S. copyright laws.
  • Only one entry per student.
  • Each student must include a signed release form with their artwork.
Artwork Categories
  • Paintings
  • Drawings
  • Collage
  • Printmaking
  • Mixed Media
  • Computer Generated Art
  • Photography

Entry Locations

Artwork can be mailed or submitted in person at any one of Congressman Simpson’s Idaho district offices in Boise, Twin Falls, or Idaho Falls.

Boise
802 W. Bannock Street
Suite 600
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 334-1953		 Twin Falls
650 Addison Ave
#1078
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
(208) 734-7219		 Idaho Falls
410 Memorial Drive
Suite 203
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 523-6701


Key Competition Dates

  • February 27, 2020 – Student artwork due to Congressman Simpson’s district offices.
  • March 19, 2020 – Student reception and winner notification in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
  • March 7-28, 2020 – Student artwork on display at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho
  • May 2020 – Student artwork returns to schools.
  • May 2020 – Grand prize winner’s artwork sent to Washington D.C.
  • June 2020 – Congressional Art Competition reception and unveiling in Washington D.C.
  • June 2021 – Grand prize winner’s artwork returns from Washington D.C.

Point of Contact

Any additional questions should be directed to Brennan Summers at (208) 523-6701, or brennan.summers@mail.house.gov