Every year, the U.S. Congress holds an art competition for high school students sponsored by the Congressional Institute; winners are selected from each congressional district and their art is displayed in the Capitol for the next year.
“The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district,” states an announcement from Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03).
Guidelines state that paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photographs all qualify, but they must be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and four inches deep when framed. Students cannot collaborate with other students , and may only contribute original art. In addition to high school students, congressional districts can decide to include 7th and 8th grades if schools in that district have 7th-through 12th grades on the same campus.
The contest began in 1982, and over 650,000 students have participated. Winners and one guardian are invited to attend an awards ceremony; in 2020 the institute held a virtual reception due to COVID-19.
“Each year, a Republican and Democratic Member of the House are selected to serve as Co-Chairs. The 2021 competition is co-chaired by Rep. Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-New York). The competition is truly bipartisan, and one of the highlights of the congressional calendar,” states a Congressional Institute announcement page.
Each congressional district decides individually if they will participate in the contest, and set their own deadlines and submission procedures, so participants should contact their district to confirm details. All 11 of Virginia’s districts are participating in 2021, with deadlines ranging from April 9 to April 30.
“What I love most are the more than 400 individual stories of these kids who will come to Washington, DC, to celebrate winning the competition in their districts,” Congressional Institute President Mark Strand said in the announcement. “The amazing thing is that each of the winning pictures get to hang in the United States Capitol Building for a year. This is an incredible honor as millions of tourists will get to see their work – something that might otherwise never happen for students from every walk of American life.”
Strand concluded, “Putting these students first is one way to show there are some things that even the most partisan politician can put above politics and celebrate along with their colleagues in both parties.”
Winning 2020 entries from Virginia
See below for a list of deadlines and links for more information in each of Virginia’s congressional districts.
Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) deadline: April 23
Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D-VA-02) deadline: April 23
Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) deadline: April 28
Congressman Donald McEachin (D-VA-04) deadline: April 26
Congressman Bob Good (R-VA-05) form submission deadline: April 9. Artwork deadline April 20
Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA-06) deadline will be announced next week.
Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) deadline: April 30
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA-08) deadline: April 30
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) deadline: April 21. Theme: ‘Backroads and Byways’
Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA-10) deadline: April 22
Congressman Gerald Connolly (D-VA-11) deadline: April 30
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
