Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

 The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our District's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

All artwork submissions must be dropped off at Rep. Harder’s District Office at 1776 W. March Ln, Suite 360 in Stockton by April 10 at 5:00 pm.

The following is a summary of the Congressional Art Competition rules:

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

Accepted mediums for artwork are as follows:

1. Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
2. Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed).
3. Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
4. Mixed Media: collage or use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
5. Computer-generated art
6. Photographs

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).

Students will need to complete a release form that will need to be taped to the back of their artwork. Students and teachers can also find the rules for the Congressional Art Competition here.

We will recognize and display all art submissions at an awards ceremony on a date to be determined. Local judges will choose three winners and an honorable mention in each medium category! 

1. 1st place winning work will be recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC, and the piece of art will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year.
2. 2nd place winning work will be displayed in Rep. Harder’s Washington D.C. office for a year.
3. 3rd place winning work will be displayed in the District, Stockton, office for a year.

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition, please call our District Office at 209-579-5458.