Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Each Congressional office hosts its own competition for high school students in their district using its own criteria. Once a winner is selected, their artwork is displayed for 11 months in the Cannon Tunnel that leads into the U.S. Capitol – a path frequented by Members of Congress, staff, and visitors from around the world. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC.
To facilitate this important competition, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari’s District Office will foster outreach to local high schools, nominate local artists as judges and celebrate the contestants in a ceremony honoring their contribution.
All high school students who live in our district are invited to participate. The winner will be displayed in Washington D.C. while the runner up, third and fourth place contestants will have their artwork displayed in the lobby of Congresswoman Ansari’s District Office for 11 months.
The deadline for submissions to the 2025 Congressional Art Competition is April 11th, 2025.
Important Dates
- March 10th: Competition Begins
- April 7th: Submission Entry Begins
- April 11th: Submissions Due
- April 14th: Finalists Selected
Rules
Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive in Washington, DC, framed.
Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (Charcoal and pastel must be fixed.)
- Collages: must be twodimensional
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art (NOT AI GENERATED)
- Photographs
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 (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. Any entry that was completed using AI (artificial intelligence) software or tools will be disqualified.For more information on copyright laws, we recommend you visit the Scholastic website: https://www.artandwriting.org/awards/how-to-enter/copyright-plagiarism/
Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting, drawing, etc.).
Artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the duration of the exhibition. Students should only submit artwork they will not need for other purposes. Second, third and fourth place will be hung in Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari’s District Office Lobby for the duration of the exhibition. All other works will be returned to students’ schools following the reception.
Submission Instructions
All students interested in competing in the AZ03 2025 Congressional Art Competition should fill out the Interest Form.
Only students who live in Arizona’s Third District may participate in the AZ03 competition. Reach out if you are unsure if you live in our districts boundaries, or, use this site:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
A TYPED copy of the Student Information and Release Form, signed by the teacher, a 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. **[MAKE A COPY] 2025 Student Release Form**
Submissions will be accepted for drop off at the Phoenix District Office between 04/07/2025 and 04/11/2025.
No submissions will be accepted after 04/11/2025.
The Phoenix District Office will be open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and is located at 3770 N 7th Street, Phoenix AZ, 85014
Our office will pick up art from the entrants schools only on these dates: 04/10/2025 & 04/11/2025.
Please notify Andrew Simek if students/teachers are unable to deliver art to the district office.
Contact Info:
Andrew Simek
Field Representative & District Operations Manager
Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ03)
andrew.simek@mail.house.gov
M: 623-203-3232
O: 602-956-2285
