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 Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
The contest is open to all high school students in California's 14th Congressional District; a panel of local artists will select the winners. The overall winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nationwide.
The deadline to submit artwork for the 2026 competition is April 15th, 2026, at 5 PM PT.
The 2026 rules and regulations, as well as the 2026 entry form, are attached to this email. Can you please have them updated on the website?
It's not necessary, but I'll attach the names and pictures of last year's winners if we want to update the information regarding last year's art competition.
Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26" x 26" x 4" (including the frame), two-dimensional, and no heavier than 15 pounds. The artwork may be:
- Paintings – including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
- Drawings – including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
- Collage
- Prints – including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
- Mixed Media
- Computer Generated Art
- Photography
All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution, and must not violate U.S. copyright law. Work entered must be in the original medium - not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing.
If you would like more information on the annual Congressional Art Competition, email CA14ArtComp@mail.house.gov or contact my District Office at (510) 370-3322.
Click here to read the rules and regulations. Click here for an official entry form. Complete my office's entry form below (both the official form and this form must be completed.) Artists must submit their art in person, with the form completed by the artist and their teacher.