Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest (and 3-D Patriotic Art Contest)
ListedCompetition
- Award
- 2026-27 national 2-D prizes: $15,000 first; $7,500 second; $4,500 third; $4,000 fourth; $1,500 fifth/sixth; $1,000 seventh-tenth; $750 eleventh; $500 twelfth-twenty-third. 3-D prizes: $2,500 first, $1,500 second, $1,000 third/fourth, $500 fifth. Paid directly to the chosen American college, university or vocational/technical school after verification; funds may be held for up to five years after high school graduation.
- Deadline
- March 31, 2027: student entries to a participating sponsoring VFW Auxiliary. April 15, 2027: local/district winners to state judging. May 5, 2027: state first-place entries received at national headquarters. Students cannot enter directly at nationals.
- How to apply
- Submit original current-school-year art with separate contest form signed by student and parent/guardian, plus an artist statement up to 250 words. For 2-D submit paper/canvas art 8 by 10 inches minimum and 18 by 24 maximum including mat, one finished-art image, and no frame; canvas must be properly mounted/reinforced. For 3-D use raw materials, maximum 18 inches in any direction and five pounds, describe creation steps, and include at least three images from different angles. Referenced inspiration must be documented with a copy, source name and publication date. Local then state winners advance. Students may enter both contests with separate forms.
- What you'll need
- A finalist round or selection weekend
- Who can apply
- Grades 9 to 12 by March 31, 2027 at U.S./territory schools or homeschool, or overseas dependents of U.S. military/civilian personnel. Citizenship is not required: lawful permanent residents or applicants whose permanent-residence application has not been denied and who intend to become citizens qualify. No foreign-exchange, age 20 or older, GED or adult-education students. Prior national winners cannot reenter the same contest; no VFW family relationship required.
- Good to know
- The current June 2026 rules supersede older prize amounts on the landing page/info sheet. Digital art, photography, weapons, 3-D printed art and jewelry are excluded; 2-D rules explicitly exclude AI art. Any flag must comply with the Federal Flag Code. Entry signatures grant permission for website/social-media publication and promotional use; artwork remains the student's property.
- Details
- ArtsCivics