The 2026 Summer Art Competition window is now closed.

The 2026 ARTEFFECT summer competition—free to enter and open to all students in grades 9-12—invites young artists to celebrate the stories of innovators. Young artists explore these Unsung Heroes who were Innovators by creating original visual artworks, writing reflective Impact Statements (500-1,000 words), and showcasing their projects in their classrooms and communities to stimulate positive change. There is no entry fee. Finalists will be announced  Wednesday, September 30, 2026

To create a submission, you will need to create a Submittable account using an email account that you can verify. Educators can use their email to make multiple submissions on behalf of their students. You are encouraged to submit at least one day in advance to allow time for any troubleshooting.