Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, a nation-wide 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 Wisconsin's Third Congressional District and the nation.
The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in Wisconsin's Third District. The winning artwork of the 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 the U.S. House of Representatives' Congressional Art Competition page.
Congressional Art Competition guidelines and rules:
Artwork entered in the contest must be two-dimensional and no larger than 26 inches high, by 26 inches wide, by 4 inches in depth, and not weigh more than 15 pounds. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive framed, be hanging ready, and still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. You must submit a completed release form (linked below) with your entry.
- Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
- Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed)
- Collages - must be two dimensional
- Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
- Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art
- Photography
All artwork and entry forms must be submitted on or before Monday April 7, 2025 at 4:00pm. Teachers and students may contact Jill Grennan at Jill.Grennan@mail.house.gov with any questions.
Submissions, including the entry form, may be mailed or hand-delivered to the La Crosse or Eau Claire District Offices:
Congressman Derrick Van Orden
ATTN: Art Competition
210 7th Street S
Suite 204
La Crosse, WI 54601
Congressman Derrick Van Orden
ATTN: Art Competition
404 Barstow Street
Suite 2
Eau Claire, WI 54701
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).
The rules, checklist, and release form for the competition are live on House.gov. You can also download them below:
If you would like more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition, please submit the following form.