2026 Congressional Art Competition

ART SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, April 10, 2026

The Congressional Art Competition is a bipartisan event designed to encourage the artistic talents of high school students nationwide. Since the competition began in 1982, nearly 700,000 high school students across the United States have competed. Sponsored annually by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Congressional Institute, the program offers students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year. With millions of visitors passing through the Capitol each year, the exhibition is among the most viewed student art displays in the country. As your representative in Congress, I welcome and encourage any high school student living or attending school in PA-13 to submit a piece for this year's competition.

The deadline to submit an entry is FRIDAY, April 10, 2026. Artwork must be submitted to my Altoona district office. The Altoona district office location is posted below:

Altoona District Office
5414 6th Avenue
Altoona, PA 166022
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

In order to allow artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are enforced:

Artwork must be two-dimensional.
Each piece can be no larger than 26”x 26”x 4” (26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep) including the outside dimensions of the frame.
Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs.
Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photo (not the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.
Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to students earlier. Students should not submit artwork they will need for other purposes.

Artwork categories are as follows:

Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
Collage: must be two dimensional
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, etc.
Computer generated art
Photography

The final decision regarding the suitability of all artwork for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol. Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portion not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be excluded from the exhibit.

FRAMING GUIDELINES

Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible. Metal frames are recommended. No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.
Winning artwork must be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is preferred.
Two sturdy eye hooks should be attached at the right and the left sides of the back of the work. Do not put wire between the hooks for hanging.
Do not attach labels, ribbon, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.
If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the back side which side is “up” with arrows.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at (814) 656-6081.

All entries must be received by FRIDAY, April 10, 2026. For more information, visit the Official Art Competition website.