Winning Artwork Will be Displayed in the Halls of the U.S. Capitol for Visitors From Around the World to View
Letter from Congressman Tim Kennedy
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) is inviting local high school students to enter the annual Congressional Art Competition. This nationwide competition celebrates the importance of the arts and art education in our schools by showcasing the work of our country’s most talented young people. Since its inception in 1982, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional Art Competition.
This year’s theme is: “Western New York: A Place for All of Us.” Artwork should capture the artist's appreciation for the people who make Western New York a great place to live.
“Western New York is home to many talented students, and this is a great opportunity for our young artists to have their work recognized at home and across the nation,” said Congressman Kennedy. “I’m excited to see the creativity of young Western New Yorkers on display, and to highlight their passion for art and community.”
The grand prize-winning piece will be sent to Washington, D.C., to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building. The winning student and a guest will also receive complimentary airline tickets from Southwest Airlines to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony with other talented high school artists from across the country at the end of June.
Interested students must submit their original artwork before 5 PM EST on Friday, April 24, 2026. Art pieces can be delivered to Congressman Kennedy’s office at 726 Exchange Street, Suite 601, Buffalo, New York. Each submission must also be accompanied by a completed release form.
Artwork must be framed and should be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, 4 inches deep, and no heavier than 15 pounds. Accepted media for the two-dimensional artwork include:
Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal
Collages: must be two-dimensional
Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
Computer-generated art (AI-generated art is not permitted.)
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.
Please contact Congressman Kennedy’s Buffalo District Office directly at 716-852-3501 with any questions or if you are unable to fill out the electronic form.
More information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition