About

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual contest open to high school students (grades 9-12) across the United States, offering recognition in visual arts categories like photography, drawing, and painting. Participation is free and structured at the district level, with the ultimate winner advancing to national recognition.

The competition has strict physical requirements: artwork must be two-dimensional, with a maximum framed size of 26 inches by 26 inches and a weight limit of 15 pounds. Critically, submissions must avoid depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature. The overall national winner's artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the student receives two round-trip airfare tickets to attend a reception in Washington, D.C. Judging focuses on originality, technique, composition, and overall artistic merit.