Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

Qualifications:

*Information and deadlines for the 2024 Art Competition are not yet available.*

  • Our office accepts entries from all high school students in the 8th Congressional District
  • Entries should be mailed to our Boston office.
  • Digital art and student release forms should be emailed to MA082023ArtComp@gmail.com.
  • All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution. 
  • Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26" x 26" (including the frame) and may be up to 4" in depth.
  • More information on the competition rules and student release form can be found here.

Accepted artwork includes:

  • Paintings: including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
  • Drawings: including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
  • Collages: must be two dimensional
  • Prints: including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
  • Mixed Media
  • Computer Generated Art
  • Photography

Congressional App Challenge

Established in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge challenges middle and high school students to design and enter their original apps for a chance to win and attend the #HouseofCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, DC. Winners also have the chance to display their app proposal in the U.S. Capitol. 

Qualifications:

  • Must be a middle or high school student at the time of app submission.
  • Students may register as individuals or as teams of up to four. No more than four students are allowed to form a team
  • Applicants to our office must be residents of or go to school in the 8th Congressional district
  • If competing as a team, at least half of the teammates must be eligible to compete in the district in which they are participating in.
  • Submissions are due November 1st, 2023.

For more information on challenge and app guidelines, please visit the CAC website here.

If you have questions, please contact Keyana.Adarkwah@mail.house.gov or call our Boston office at (617) 428-2000.