Compliance with each of the rules will ensure we have an efficient and successful Congressional Art Competition. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification and rejection of their artwork.
Student Eligibility Requirements: The student must be in high school (grades 9-12.) High schools are not limited by kind. Home-schooled students and charter and private school students are permitted to enter. Some high schools may serve students from multiple congressional districts. Students must reside in the 7th congressional district to participate.
The artwork does not need to be created in an art class through the student’s high school; students may submit artwork created during free time or through independent art classes. If this is the case, either the parent/guardian or the independent art instructor should sign in places requiring the signature of an art teacher.
Artwork must be the creation of a single student. Students may not collaborate on an entry.
Students may only submit one piece of artwork.
Technical Requirements for Artwork: Artwork must conform to the size requirements and be created using the appropriate mediums.
All artworks must be framed. The artwork, including the frame, may be no larger than 26” x 26” x 4” and weigh no more than 15 pounds. Larger pieces may be trimmed down or disqualified.
Students may only submit two-dimensional artwork.
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
· Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
· Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal
· Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
Work must be in the original medium (not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing.)
Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.
Artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the duration of the exhibit. Students should only submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
Content Requirements: Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, artwork depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy, or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed.
Students should select an appropriate title/name for their artwork.
Method of Entry: Students must complete the Student Information and Release Form. The information requested on the first page of the form should be provided as thoroughly as possible. Students should include their mailing address if they differ from their home address. Students should also include contact information that will be valid for several years. (For example, students are encouraged to include a personal email address rather than a school email address.)
The form requires a description of the artwork, which should be detailed, clearly identifying the major elements of the work. For example, “self-portrait” or “a picture of two people” would be unacceptable, since many artworks would fit those descriptions. The following is an example of a useful description “A painting of two people; the person on the left wears a green sweater and khaki pants; the person on the right wears a black shirt and a striped skirt. A dog sits at their feet.”
The second page of the Student Information and Release Form contains a legal release and a certification that the artwork is original in design and execution. The student, an art teacher, and a parent or guardian must sign where appropriate. Entries without signed originality certifications and artwork releases may not be accepted.
A TYPED copy of the Student Information and Release Form, signed by the teacher, parent or guardian, and the student, must be securely attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece. Please retain a copy for your records.
All artwork entries must be turned in to our Baltimore District Office located at 1010 Park Avenue Suite 105 Baltimore, MD 21201 by Friday, April 5, 2024. Students must contact Katelyn Stough at Katelyn.Stough@mail.house.gov or (410) 685-9199 to arrange drop-off or pick-up.
View the full competition rules document here.