Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, the Congressional Institute invites high school students from across the country. One student from each congressional district is selected to represent their district, with the winning artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building among other district winners chosen from around the country.
If you are a high school student living in Colorado's First Congressional District, you are eligible to submit your artwork for this prestigious competition. Below is all the important information you need to enter the competition, including rules, deadlines, and submission instructions.
Please submit artwork for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition by 5 pm MT on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Eligibility and Submission Guidelines:
- Open to high school students only
- Students may submit multiple entries
- All artwork must be original in concept, design, and execution. No copies of existing works.
- Artwork must not violate U.S. copyright laws.
- Artwork must be two-dimensional.
- Framing Requirements:
- The artwork must be framed if selected as the winner. Framing will be handled by our office, but please ensure the artwork fits within the given size restrictions.
- The framed piece should not exceed 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
- Artwork should weigh no more than 15 lbs.
- Framing Requirements:
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
- Collages:two-dimensional only
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
- Mixed Media:works using more than one medium (e.g., pencil, ink, watercolor).
- Computer-generated art
- Photographs
Prizes and Recognition
- Grand Prize Winner: The selected artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol alongside an exhibit of winning artwork from across the country.
- Travel: The winner and a guardian will receive round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C., to attend a reception recognizing the artwork.
Submission Instructions
- Please submit artwork for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition are due by 5pm MT on Friday, April 10, 2026.
- Please include the Student Release Form on the back of your artwork with a guardian's signature if under 18 years old.
- Submit Artwork in Person:
- Drop off your framed artwork at the District Office – 600 Grant Street, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80203.
- Alternatively, if transportation is a barrier, please contact Suvu Singh at Suvu.Singh@mail.house.gov to arrange for pickup from your school.
Important Links
Student Release Form
Rules & Regulations for Students & Teachers
If you have any questions or would like more information on how to submit your art, please contact Suvu Singh at Suvu.Singh@mail.house.gov or call at 303-844-4988.