I am pleased to announce the 2009 Congressional Art Competition for Ohio’s Third Congressional District. The Competition is open to all high school students who live in Ohio’s Third Congressional District. Students will compete for one of four generous academic scholarships and the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. this summer.
The annual competition was created in 1982 as a way to showcase the artistic talents of young people throughout the country. The goal of the contest is to support and promote the arts and reward artistic expression in our youth. This contest will further develop creativity and original thought in our young people. These skills may prove to be invaluable as they move forward with their education and careers.
The rules for participating in the contest are as follows:
- The competition is open to all high school students, Grades 9-12, who live in Ohio’s Third Congressional District.
- Students may obtain entry forms from their high school art teachers.
- Parents of home-schooled students should contact my district offices in Dayton to receive entry forms.
- Each student may submit one piece of two-dimensional artwork.
- Framed artwork must be no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches by 4 inches deep, and may include: Paintings (oils, watercolors, acrylics, etc.); Drawings (pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, pastels, ink, markers, etc.); Collages (must be two-dimensional); Prints (lithographs, silks screens, block prints) and Mixed media.
- Art work must be matted and should be in white, cream, or black.
- Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws.
Teachers must schedule an appointment with the Dayton Art Institute to drop off artwork or make an appointment with Jim Knupp in my Dayton District office to have artwork picked up. Our goal is to make entry as easy as possible for parents, teachers and students. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
There are up to four scholarship opportunities available to the contest winners. The first place winner of the Congressional Art Competition has the choice of either a $1,500 annual scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) or a one-time general study scholarship to one of the following institutions: The University of Dayton ($2,000 scholarship), Sinclair Community College ($1,000 scholarship), and Wright State University ($2,000 scholarship). The remaining scholarships will be awarded to other winners of the competition.
In addition, the first place winner will also receive a trip to Washington, D.C. to attend a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, where their artwork will be on display for one year along with the work of Congressional Art contest winners across the nation.
The Congressional Art Competition continues to receive fabulous support from the local community. The Dayton Art Institute, WHIO-TV and Time Warner Cable join me in supporting this annual art contest. The artwork will be on display at the Dayton Art Institute from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, May 10, 2009. I encourage all Ohioans to visit the museum so that they can see all the entries. A panel of local artists, art teachers, and local community leaders will select four winners and six honorable mentions.
I look forward to seeing the many entries in this contest from talented young local artists. This is a great opportunity to support the arts. One of our nation’s future prominent artists may be growing up right now in Ohio’s Third Congressional District and this contest is a great way to encourage that talent.
Anyone seeking additional information should contact Jim Knupp in my Dayton district office at (937) 225-2843.