Dear Neighbor,

Creativity is essential to human understanding and development, and the themes that are displayed in works of art are almost always relevant and applicable to our own lives.

Our country takes great value and pride in the arts. Indeed, promotion of the arts is instilled in our nation’s founding document, the Constitution of the United States, in its First Amendment.

To further this noble pursuit of excellence in the arts, each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork from our District's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating congressional districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

Students must complete the Student Information and Release Form and submit their artwork to be considered. To access the 2023 Congressional Art Competition Student Information and Release Form, please click here. 

All artwork entries must be turned in to my Office by April 21, 2023.

For further information on artwork eligibility and requirements, how to submit a piece, and more, please visit the following webpage on my congressional website. You may also contact my Baltimore City Office by phone, at (410) 685-9199, to be connected with the appropriate staffer who will be overseeing this year’s contest.    

I look forward to receiving this year’s submissions, as the creative young minds of Maryland’s 7th Congressional District put together their work.  

Yours in service,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress