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Students across New York’s 13th congressional district are being invited to showcase their creativity through a nationally recognized art competition that could place their work inside one of the most famous buildings in the United States.
The contest, organized annually by the office of Adriano Espaillat, encourages high school students in the district to submit original artwork for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. The initiative is designed to highlight artistic talent while also connecting young creators to a nationwide program that has been running for more than four decades.
The deadline for submissions this year is April 1, giving students just weeks to finalize their work and submit entries digitally.
For many teenagers in Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, the competition represents a rare opportunity to bring local stories and neighborhood identity onto a national stage.
The annual art contest is a nationwide program sponsored by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Each participating congressional district selects a winning student whose artwork will be displayed inside the U.S. Capitol for roughly a year.
Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students across the United States have participated, making it one of the largest student art showcases in the country.
The exhibition takes place in a corridor used daily by members of Congress, staffers, and thousands of visitors touring the Capitol, giving young artists significant visibility.
In the 13th congressional district, the competition is meant to spotlight talent emerging from one of the most culturally vibrant parts of New York City.
The 13th congressional district is located entirely within New York City and covers large parts of Upper Manhattan and the northwest Bronx.
Communities in the district include:
Harlem
East Harlem
Hamilton Heights
Washington Heights
Inwood
Marble Hill
Morningside Heights
Fordham
Kingsbridge
Bedford Park
University Heights
Morris Heights
These neighborhoods collectively form one of the most diverse congressional districts in the country, with a population of more than 700,000 residents and a strong Hispanic and multicultural presence.
That cultural diversity often influences the type of artwork students submit, ranging from portraits of neighborhood life to pieces reflecting community history.
Students participating in the competition can work in a wide range of artistic formats. Eligible artwork categories include:
Paintings such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor
Drawings using pencil, ink, charcoal, or pastels
Collages
Printmaking such as lithographs or silkscreen
Mixed media artwork
Computer-generated art
Photography
All submissions must be original pieces created by the student, meaning the concept, design, and final execution must be their own work.
The competition focuses exclusively on two-dimensional art, meaning sculptures and three-dimensional pieces are not accepted.
The top student from the 13th congressional district will receive a major honor: their artwork will be displayed inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Winning students are also invited to travel to Washington to attend a special reception celebrating the winners from congressional districts across the country.
In addition to the overall winner:
Second-place and third-place pieces are typically displayed in congressional offices.
Honorable mentions may be showcased in district offices for public viewing.
For many young artists, the experience can serve as an early stepping stone toward careers in art, design, photography, or creative industries.
Representative Adriano Espaillat has represented New York’s 13th congressional district since 2017 and currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat.
He is also known for making history as the first Dominican American to serve in Congress.
The district he represents is considered one of the most reliably Democratic in the country and is centered in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
Beyond legislation, initiatives like the art competition are often used by congressional offices to engage young people and promote education, creativity, and civic involvement.
Youth arts programs have become increasingly important as public school art budgets face pressure nationwide.
Competitions like the Congressional Art Competition give students a platform to display their work beyond classrooms and local galleries.
For neighborhoods in the 13th congressional district, which are known for rich cultural traditions in music, murals, photography, and visual art, the program also helps keep creative expression visible among younger generations.
It also highlights a broader idea: that political districts are not only centers of policy debates but also communities filled with artists, storytellers, and creators.
Students who live or attend school in the 13th congressional district must complete several steps to enter the competition:
Confirm they live or study within the district boundaries
Review the official competition rules
Complete a student release form
Submit a digital image of their artwork before the deadline
Submissions must be emailed along with the required forms to the district office before April 1.
What is the 13th congressional district in New York?
The 13th congressional district covers parts of Upper Manhattan and the northwest Bronx, including neighborhoods like Harlem, Washington Heights, and Fordham.
Who represents the 13th congressional district?
The district is represented in Congress by Adriano Espaillat.
What is the Congressional Art Competition?
It is a nationwide student art contest where each congressional district selects a winner whose artwork is displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
When is the deadline for the competition?
The submission deadline for the current contest is April 1.