Art Competition

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Challenge is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in Texas’ Sixth Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Challenge is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork from our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, along with winning artwork from all across the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

This year’s theme, “America at 250: The Texas Perspective,” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and invites participants to reflect on the American story through a uniquely Texas lens. America at 250: The Texas Perspective challenges participants to explore the people, places, values, and moments that have shaped our nation – and the role Texas has played in that journey.

Deadline: 2026 entries must besubmitted to our office by Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Congressional Art Competition Rules and Guidelines:

Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26 inches by 26 inches, may be up to 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive framed and must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions.

• Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
• Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
• Collages - must be two dimensional
• Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
• Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photography

All entries must be original in concept, design and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).

The rules, checklist, and release form for the competition can be obtained by sending an email to Olivia Cooperider at Olivia.Cooperider@mail.house.gov. 

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition, please submit the following form or send an email to Olivia.Cooperider@mail.house.gov.