Submissions are due by Monday, April 29th

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Last week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced the start of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for high school students in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. The winning submission will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year alongside artwork from congressional districts across the country. This year’s art competition will also include youth art workshops for younger students throughout Central and Southern Illinois. 

“Each year, talented students from across the country submit entries for the Congressional Art Competition. Last year, I was so impressed by the incredible artwork that came from students in the 13th district – and this year, I’m excited to expand it, ” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m thrilled to launch our 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District which will allow high school students to submit their artwork for a chance to have it displayed in the U.S. Capitol. We’ll also be hosting youth art workshops throughout our district to allow younger students to engage with local artists and create their own artwork. I can’t wait to see what everyone creates!” 

High School Art Competition: 

The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. One winning piece of artwork from each House district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the next year.

Any high school student from Illinois’ 13th Congressional District is eligible to submit their original artwork for consideration. To enter, students must submit a digital form through Congresswoman Budzinski’s website, and drop off their artwork at any of Congresswoman Budzinski’s Illinois offices – located in Belleville, Champaign, Decatur and Springfield. Submissions are due by Monday, April 29th. Once all entries have been submitted, Congresswoman Budzinski will assemble a local judging panel to assess the artwork and select a winner. 

Belleville Office:
1 South Church Street
Suite 500-B
Belleville, IL 62260
(618) 212-7333

Champaign Office:
44 East Main Street
Suite 205
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 305-6991

Decatur Office:
101 South Main Street
Suite 100
Decatur, IL 62523
(217) 859-5313

Springfield Office:
133 South 4th Street
Suite 300
Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 814-2880

Youth Art Workshop: 

This year’s art competition also includes youth workshops for students that have not yet entered high school. The youth art workshops will be held in Champaign, Decatur, East St. Louis and Staunton as an opportunity for local youth to engage with local artists and create their own artwork. The details of these events can be found below.

Champaign Youth Art Workshop:
Friday, April 26th from 5:00-6:30
Martens Center
1515 N Market St, Champaign, IL 61820

Decatur Youth Art Workshop:
Thursday, April 25th from 5:00-6:00
Decatur District Office
101 South Main Street
Suite 100, Decatur, IL, United States

Staunton Youth Art Workshop:
Tuesday, April 23rd from 5:00-6:00
The Macoupin Art Collective
115 E Main St, Staunton, IL 62088

East St. Louis Youth Art Workshop:
Friday, April 26th from 4:30-5:30
Sinai Family Life Center
1200 St Louis Ave, East St Louis, IL 62201

2023 Congressional Art Competition

Leo Havey, a 10th grader from Springfield High School, was selected as the winner for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition with his piece “Woof Woof.” Second place was awarded to “Jarring Photo” by Achilles Delgado from Urbana High School, whose work was displayed in Congresswoman Budzinski’s D.C. office.

The previous year’s honorable mentions were each displayed in Congresswoman Budzinski’s Champaign, Belleville, Decatur and Springfield offices respectively:

• “Spinning” by Urbana High School’s Simon Hamilton
• “Self, Family and Friend” by Belleville Township High School West’s Rayne Jakob
• “Small Town” by Belleville Township High School West’s Kaeli Bueckman
• “Mirror Dimension,” by Springfield High School’s Katherine Minch
• “The Will to Ride,” by Belleville Township High School West’s George Marble 

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