Public Voting Is Now Open!
The creativity is in, and now it’s time to vote! Visit the K12 Art Competition gallery to explore this year’s incredible student artwork and help celebrate the talented young artists who brought their ideas to life.
Anyone can vote up to once per day through July 2, so be sure to come back often and support your favorite entries. Students are encouraged to share their artwork with family, friends, teachers, and on social media to earn even more votes.
Become a Fan Favorite!
Public voting will determine one People's Choice winner per grade level in each category — that's 26 total People's Choice winners!
Each People's Choice winner will receive a $50 prize and earn bragging rights as one of this year's fan favorites.
Ready to cast your vote? Visit the gallery and start supporting student artists today!
Public voting for the K12 National Art Competition closes at 5 PM (ET) on July 2, 2026.
Categories to Enter
Participants entered their artwork across two categories. Top finalists will be required to share a short video to help judges better understand their creative process and inspiration.
Original artwork only. AI-generated content was not permitted.
Physical Art
Entries in this category could be either 2D or 3D creations using traditional materials.
Examples:
- Paintings: Watercolor, acrylic, oil, or gouache on canvas or paper.
- Drawings: Pencil, charcoal, ink, or pastel on paper.
- Sculptures: Clay, wood, metal, or found objects transformed into 3D works.
- Collages: Unique compositions made by assembling paper, fabric, and other materials.
Digital Art
Entries in this category come to life using digital tools and software.
Examples:
- Digital Paintings: Created with tools like Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, or Corel Painter.
- Illustrations: Vector or raster illustrations made with tools like Adobe Illustrator or Clip Studio Paint.
- Graphic Designs: Posters, logos, and other design projects created using design software.
Prizes You Can Win
Judges' Choice
A panel of Stride, Inc. judges will select one 1st- and 2nd-Place winner per grade for each category—that’s 52 Judges’ Choice winners!
First Place
$250
(Your choice of cash or Tango e-gift card)
Second Place
$100
(Your choice of cash or Tango e-gift card)
People's Choice
Become a fan favorite! Public voting will determine 1 winner per grade for each category—that’s 26 total People’s Choice winners!
$50
(Your choice of cash or Tango e-gift card)
Art Competition Judging Criteria
Here’s what the judges are looking for:
Physical Art
- Creativity and originality
- Technical skill and craftsmanship
- Composition and use of space
- Expression and emotional impact
Digital Art
- Creativity and originality
- Technical proficiency with digital tools
- Composition and visual impact
- Innovation and use of digital techniques
Important Dates
Feb. 25-June 1, 2026
Art submissions open
June 2-28, 2026
Rounds 1 & 2 judging period
June 2-July 2, 2026
Public voting period
June 29, 2026
Finalists for the Judges' Choice are notified
June 30-July 31, 2026
Round 3 judging period
Sept. 2026
Winners announced
Explore the 2025 Art Gallery
Get inspired by last year’s winning artwork and imagine what you could create.
Physical Art
Digital Art
Please take a moment to review the official rules and regulations. All participants agree to these terms upon submitting an entry.
Stay in the know.
