Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Participation in the contest can be found using the information below. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners will be recognized both in their district and at an annual recognition ceremony in Washington, DC. Winners will recieve two (2) complimentary round-trip plane tickets to Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. Painting media can include acrylic, oil, and water-color.

• Student must be in High School.
• Student must reside in the First Congressional District of North Carolina.
• All entries must meet the following criteria:
  • Be two-dimensional,
  • Be no larger than 26 inches wide by 26 inches tall by 4 inches thick including frame (paid for at artist's expense),
  • Not weigh more than 15 pounds (including frame),
  • Art may be paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, collages, and computer-generated art.
  • Must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws (for more information on copyright laws, we recommend you visit the Scholastic website: https://www.artandwriting.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/A-Guide-to-Copyright-and-Plagiarism.pdf )

Submission requirements:

1. Submit either a photograph (by mail) or a digital copy (by email) of original art work,
2. Student Information & Release Form

Submission deadline:

Participating students must submit entries no later than Friday, May 8, 2020 at 5 p.m. Artwork will be accepted by mail or email with necessary paperwork and forms.

Mail to the Durham office:
ATTN: 2020 Congressional Art Submission
2741 Campus Walk Avenue
Building 400, Suite 300
Durham, North Carolina  27705

OR e-mail the submission to:
GKBArt@mail.house.gov with subject line: 2020 Congressional Art Submission

Please note:

• Please do not send electronic copies that are larger than 6 MB (megabytes).
• Please do not send in the original artwork.

Teachers and students interested in competing in the 2020 Congressional Art Competition should contact the Durham Office at (919) 908-0164.