Art Contests
Free contest for all grades.
Age groups for entry
4-6 years
7-9 years
10-12 years
Themes
Rockets and Spacecraft
Living and Working in Space
Exploring the Solar System
Astronauts
Students can submit entries for more than one theme.
Read more:
2024 Commercial Crew Program Children's Artwork Contest Winners
2023 Commercial Crew Program Children's Artwork Calendar Winners Chosen
Commercial Crew Program 2022 Children's International Artwork Contest Winners
Submission deadline: Not yet announced
NASA Langley Student Art Contest
Free art contest for Grades K - 6.
Invites students to create art based on a space and technology-related theme which changes each year.
This contest runs from Dec 1st to Dec 31st.
A grand prize winner as well as first, second, and third runner-ups will be selected from each grade level.
The 2025 contest theme “Our Wonder Changes the World” encourages students to be curious about the world around them and to ask the question, “What if”?
Art can represent the following mediums: drawing and painting (i.e., pencil, charcoal, pastels, colored pencils, oil paints, acrylics, water media, mixed media/collage) and original digital creations (which may not include AI or digital image generation of any kind).
Useful links:
Submission deadline: December 31, 2024
Origami by Children
Origami by Children is a free Origami contest for all grades.
Chosen origami entries will participate in a travelling exhibition.
Models must be classic origami, without drawing, embellishments, glue, tape, or cutting.
Models can be original creations or created from existing patterns.
Submission deadline: January 31, 2025
U.S Kids Magazine Cover Art Contest
U.S Kids Magazine Cover Art Contest
Submission deadline: Feb 1, 2025
Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors
Free contest for Grades 5-6.
Design and create a working invention/artwork that incorporates at least one rubber band.
Useful links
Submission deadline: Feb 21, 2025
The Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest
Free art contest to learn about fishes and conservation.
Entry divisions:
Grades K-3
Grades 4-6
Students must create a handmade artwork which features a wild fish in its natural habitat using any 2D art medium. The art must include one or more of Califonia native species:
Along with their art piece, students in Grades 4-6 must submit a creative writing piece related to their species and its conservation needs. The creative writing piece is not required for Grades K-3.
The contest entry can be submitted either via online form or through mail.
Useful Links:
Submission deadline: February 28, 2025
Science Without Borders Challenge
Free art contest for students age 11 or older.
Helps students around the world to learn about ocean conservation.
The entry period is from August until March of following year.
The theme for the 2025 contest is Marine Keystone Species. Keystone species play a crucial role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy and balanced. To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem.
Useful Links:
Submission deadline: March 3, 2025
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Free contest for students age 11 or older.
Inspires students around the world to learn about environmental issues though art and creative communication.
Students can participate either individually or as a group of any size.
Can submit one entry per category.
The entry period is from September until June of following year.
The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest theme "Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside" encourages you to explore the natural world and your place in it. We invite you to think about your unique connection to nature and how being outside makes you feel. There are so many different ways that you can connect to nature, whether that’s exploring the history of the land you live on, volunteering in the fight against climate change, or taking a restorative walk in your local park. Go through the sub-themes and explore the topics that resonate with you. Share your relationship with the natural world through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. What is your connection to nature?
Useful Links:
Submission Deadline: June 9, 2025
I Matter Poetry and Art Contest
Free poetry and art contest for Grades K - 6.
The entry theme is "Why Black Lives Matter".
One poetry and one art entry per person.
Refer details: I Matter Poetry and Art Contest.
Submission Deadline: July 23, 2025
Rube Goldberg Cartoon Contest
Free cartoon contest for all grades.
Draw your own Rube Goldberg machine invention to accomplish any task with anywhere between 7 to 26 steps (A step means transfer of energy from one object to other).
Useful Links:
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2025
