WASHINGTON, D.C. – Eighth District Missouri Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) has announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is now accepting entries from high school students across southeast and south central Missouri.
“Southern Missouri is filled with incredibly gifted young artists, and I’m proud to highlight the creativity of the Show-Me State in the halls of the U.S. Capitol,” said Congressman Smith. “A little friendly competition often inspires excellence, and I can’t wait to see how students capture their pride in Missouri and love of country through their art.”
A panel of judges will review the submissions and select the top entries to be recognized as part of this year’s competition. From those entries, the overall winner will be chosen and will have their artwork displayed for one year in the United States Capitol in the Cannon Tunnel, where Members of Congress, staff, and thousands of visitors from across the country will see it each day. The top ten pieces will be formally recognized for their outstanding creativity and artistic achievement.
The winning student will also receive two airline tickets to Washington, D.C., to see their artwork hanging in the U.S. Capitol.
The Congressional Art Competition is open to any high school student in Missouri’s 8th Congressional District, including students enrolled in public, private, or home school. The deadline to submit artwork digitally — a clear photo of the completed piece — is April 7. For submissions or additional information, students may also reach out to Congressman Smith’s office at Jodi.Williams@mail.house.gov or Megan.Nickey@mail.house.gov.