Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The competition provides an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Congresswoman Moore’s An Artistic Discovery is open to all high school students in the Fourth Congressional District. How it Works: Students submit entries to Congresswoman Moore’s office for display. A panel of local artists select the winning entries. The First-Place students’ artwork will be professionally framed and sent to Washington, D.C., where it will be displayed with other winners in an exhibit in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol. The student will be flown to D.C. along with a parent or guardian for a reception hosted by the Congressional Institute.
General Information
• Students must be residents of the Fourth Congressional District.
• The contest is open only to high school students in grades 9-12.
All entries must meet the following criteria:
• Be two dimensional.
• Be no larger than ‘26 inches wide by ‘26 inches tall by 4 inches thick.
• Not weigh more than 15 pounds
• Be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.
• Artwork can be no more than 4 inches in depth.
These are guidelines provided by the Congressional Institute - winning artwork that exceeds these dimensions when framed cannot be exhibited in the U.S. Capitol.
Please submit artwork unframed.
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.)
• 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
• 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.
Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing).
Suitability Guidelines Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission (the Commission). In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy, or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed. Student Information and Release Form Each entrant must submit a Student Information and Release Form. The Student Information and Release Form is available through the office of your Member of Congress. 2 The information requested on the first page of the form should be provided as thoroughly as possible. Students should include their mailing addresses if they differ from their home addresses. Students should also include contact information that will be valid for several years.
The form requires a description of the artwork, which should be detailed, clearly identifying the major elements of the work. For example, “self-portrait” or “a picture of two people” would be unacceptable, since many artworks would fit those descriptions.
The following is an example of a useful description: “A painting of two people; the person on the left wears a green sweater and khaki pants; the person on the right wears a black shirt and a striped skirt. A dog sits at their feet.”
The second page of the Student Information and Release Form contains a legal release and a certification that the artwork is original in design and execution. The student, an art teacher, and a parent or guardian must sign where appropriate. Entries without signed originality certifications and artwork releases may not be accepted. A TYPED copy of the Student Information and Release Form, signed by the teacher, a parent or guardian, and the student, must be securely attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.
Artwork is due April 2nd, 2025 Fourth Congressional District Reception with Congresswoman Moore is Saturday, April 12, 2025. All artworks should be titled and submitted to Congresswoman Moore’s Office with a 3" x 5" index card affixed to the back.
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Artwork must be identified with the following information:
• Student's name
• School
• Grade in school
• Instructor's name
• Title of the artwork.
•Artwork medium Teachers or students are responsible for delivering artwork to Congresswoman Moore's Milwaukee office at 250 E. Wisconsin Avenue, STE 950 prior to judging and picking up artwork from our office after the exhibition unless other arrangements are made.
REMINDER: Each student will be allowed one entry for judging. Any additional entries may be displayed if space is available but will be excluded from judging. Congresswoman Moore's office is not responsible for any damage or loss of artwork. NO ONE can remove artwork once on display at Northwestern Mutual. The winner agrees to allow the winning piece to be sent to Washington, D.C., to remain on exhibit for one year in the Cannon Tunnel.
Students should only submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
Artworks entered will be judged on the following criteria: Creativity of Concept, Clarity of Theme, Artistic skill, Originality, and Suitability for display.
Questions or concerns? Email jacklin.jones@mail.house.gov
