A nationwide student art contest is inviting children and teens to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by creating original artwork inspired by historical figures selected for the proposed National Garden of American Heroes.
The “American Heroes Student Art Contest,” sponsored by the nonpartisan organization Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities, is open to students in grades 3 through 12 in all 50 states and six U.S. territories. Submissions opened Feb. 14 and will close May 1, according to the contest’s press release.
The contest encourages students to “celebrate America’s 250th Birthday by creating original two-dimensional artworks, inspired by their favorite historical American hero,” chosen from a list of 250 notable Americans who are to be honored in statues in the garden.
The list spans statesmen, civil rights leaders, athletes, scientists, artists, military figures, and faith leaders. Among them are George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Sitting Bull, Clara Barton, Kobe Bryant, and Neil Armstrong, according to the contest’s published biographies.
In addition to selecting a historical figure, students must create their artwork in the style of one of several American art movements from the past 250 years. Contest materials include a slide deck outlining movements such as Colonial Art, Neoclassicism, the Hudson River School, American Impressionism, and American Modernism, among others.
Students must select one hero and create a handmade two-dimensional work — such as a painting, drawing, mixed media piece or film-based photograph — depicting either a portrait, a significant place, key historical event, symbolic object, or cultural practice associated with that figure.
Participants must also submit a 200-word artist statement explaining their artistic approach and the historical figure they selected. Organizers say submissions may not exceed 24 inches in height or width and may not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools. A panel of artists and educators will judge the entries based on artistic excellence, creativity, relevance to contest themes, and clarity of the written statement, according to contest materials.
The competition includes three grade-level categories: upper elementary (grades 3–5), middle school (6–8), and high school (9–12).
Organizers said 168 first-place winners — one student from each category representing all participating states and territories — will receive travel and lodging allowances to attend an exhibition and award ceremony in Washington, D.C., during the Great American State Fair. Winners will be notified in May.
Joshua Mercer, vice president of advocacy for CatholicVote, said the organization is encouraging Catholic students to take part.
“CatholicVote is happy to partner with Freedom 250 to promote this Student Art Contest celebrating American Heroes who helped shape our nation over the last 250 years,” Mercer said. “We hope to see many Catholic students participate in this art contest during America's special anniversary year — and get a chance to earn a trip to Washington, DC, and have their artwork included at the Great American State Fair!”