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Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives host the Congressional Art Competition, a national high school arts competition. 

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students who live in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. If you are not sure whether or not you live in New Jersey's 3rd District, you can look up your congressional district here

A panel of artist judges from Burlington, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties will review the submissions and select a winning piece. The exhibit in the U.S. Capitol will include artwork from all of the participating districts around the country. The winning pieces are also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page. The winning pieces are also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

Parents, students, and teachers who have questions about the Congressional Art Challenge may contact Congressman Andy Kim's Freehold District Office at 732-504-0490 or online.

How to enter

To enter the Congressional Art Competition, please follow these instructions for preparing your piece:

  • Print and attach the Release Form to the back of your piece with painter's tape. The form must be signed by the student and art teacher.
  • Submit the Online Submission Form. You will be asked to submit a photo of the submission and scan a copy of the Release Form.
  • Original Medium. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing). It must be original in concept, design, and execution, and may not violate U.S. copyright laws.
  • Dimensions. Artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches in depth and must not weigh more than 15 pounds when framed.
  • Frame. Artwork must be enhanced and protected by a sturdy frame made of wood or metal. Do not use plastic “snap-on” frames or metal frames that can easily come apart.
  • Hanging hook and wire. Two sturdy eye hooks or the equivalent must be attached at the top right and left sides of the back of the frame for hanging to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. Place wire between the hooks for hanging at the district exhibition.
  • Orientation. Please indicate which side is up by marking arrows pointing towards the top on the back.
  • Label. Using the largest label you have available, type this information and securely apply to the back of the piece: 
    • Student Name:
    • Address:
    • Phone Number:
    • Email Address: 
    • Title:  
    • Medium: 
    • Member’s Name: Congressman Andy Kim
    • State and District: NJ-03
  • Protect your work. All artwork, except paintings in oil or acrylic on canvas, must be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is preferred.

After preparing your piece, drop off physical submissions to one of our district office locations. Eligible submissions will be accepted during normal business hours starting Monday, April 8th, until the deadline at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 19th. Any artwork submitted after the deadline will be ineligible for the competition.

No artwork submissions will be accepted after Friday, April 19th, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

Eligible submissions will be accepted at any of Congressman Kim's District Offices at the following locations:

  • 429 John F. Kennedy Way, Willingboro, NJ 08046
  • 4573 S. Broad Street, Hamilton, NJ 08620
  • 30 Mechanic Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 – please call ahead to schedule an appointment for artwork submission at this location

Competition Rules 

The official 2024 Rules and Regulations are available here.

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
  • Photographs

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 a 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. While it is not the intent to censor any artwork, we do wish to avoid artwork that is potentially inappropriate for display in this highly traveled area leading to the Capitol.