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 Third Congressional District. If you are not sure whether or not you live in New Jersey's Third District, you can look up your congressional district here. 

A panel of artist judges from Burlington and Ocean 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.

How to enter

Any 3rd District student interested in entering a piece must fill out the release and application form. Please fill out this form here!

Once you complete the release form, please print it out and attach it to your piece of art.

The deadline to submit your artwork is Friday, April 22, 2022 at 5:00pm. Any artwork submitted after the deadline will be ineligible for the competition.

Parents, teachers or students may reach out to our Willingboro or Toms River office with any questions or concerns: Willingboro (856-703-2700) or Toms River (732-504-0490).

All physical and online submissions must follow entry criteria.

Art Intake Days will be held on Tuesday April 19 to Friday, April 22 for students to submit their physical artwork and release form in person. Art Intake Days will be held at Congressman Kim’s district offices in Toms River (33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753) and Willingboro (429 John F. Kennedy Way, Willingboro, NJ 08046).

Competition Rules 

The 2022 Rules and Regulations are available here. 

The following is a summary of the Congressional Art Competition rules. The Competition is open to all high school students in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District. The deadline to submit artwork is Friday, April 22, 2022 at 5:00pm. Any artwork submitted after the deadline will be ineligible for the competition. Physical and online submissions will be accepted (please see How to Enter).

Artwork Entry Criteria: 

  • Must be two-dimensional and no larger than 26 inches by 26 inches by 4 inches
  • Must not weigh more than 15 pounds, including frame
  • Must have the 2022 Student Release Form secured with painters tape to the back of your piece.
  • Must be original in concept, design, and execution, and may not violate U.S. copyright laws
  • Art pieces are NOT required to be framed for judging

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

Requirements for Work Selected for Exhibition:

  • Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).
  • 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.
  • Artwork must be enhanced and protected by a sturdy frame and wired for hanging.
  • Frames must be made of wood or metal.
    • No plastic “snap on” frames or metal frames that can easily come apart are to be used.
  • 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.
  • Please indicate which side is up by marking arrows pointing towards the top on the back.
  • 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
  • All artwork, except paintings in oil or acrylic on canvas, must be protected by Plexiglas or glass.  Plexiglas is preferred.

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. 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 travelled area leading to the Capitol.