Congressional Art Competition
CONGRESSWOMAN APRIL MCCLAIN DELANEY
MD06 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION 2026
Members of the US House of Representatives sponsor a national arts competition each spring. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional district. Congresswoman April McClain Delaney is looking forward to seeing submissions from across Maryland’s Sixth District!
To make entry in this Competition more easily accessible, submission can be done via our online portal.
The deadline for submissions is April 19, 2026 at 5:00pm EST.
The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students who live in the 6th Congressional District. If you're not sure if you live in the 6th District, you can look up your congressional district here. You can also call Rep. McClain Delaney's office at 301-926-0300 and provide your street address and zip code to a staff member who will be able to help you.
The winning artwork from our district's competition will be displayed for one year, starting in June, in the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol exhibit includes the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on the House's Congressional Art Competition page.
COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Rules for Students and Teachers must be followed to ensure acceptance into the Exhibition.
Artwork entered in the contest may be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches in depth and not weigh more than 15 pounds (including the frame). If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive framed and must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions.
Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
- Prints: lithographs, silk screen, block prints
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Collages (must be two dimensional)
- Computer-generated art (A.I. generated art is not accepted)
- Photographs
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).
COMPETITION SUITABILITY GUIDELINES
Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission. In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy, or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. Each Member of Congress will be required to submit a letter of support confirming that the Member has determined that the winning artwork adheres to the Commission’s policy. However, if another Member of Congress requests review of any artwork for compliance with the Commission’s policy, the final decision regarding the artwork’s suitability for display will be made by the Commission.
TO APPLY
Entries must be submitted to our online portal no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 19, 2026. Each submission must be made through the online form and must be filled out completely including a picture of the student’s artwork (preferably HD). No entry will be considered unless submitted through a completed Submission Form. We will only accept one entry per student.
For questions, please email MD06.ArtCompetition@mail.house.gov or call our District office at 301-926-0300.