The Art in the Capitol Competition, authorized by section 1003.49965, Florida Statutes, is a voluntary statewide visual arts competition that allows each school district to annually hold an art competition for all students in grades 6 through 8 attending public schools, charter schools, private schools and home education students in Florida. The artwork may be judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers whose students have not submitted work for the competition.

Click here to view the 2025 - 2026 Art in the Capitol winning submissions.

All artwork submitted for the Art in the Capitol must:

not violate copyright laws, and be original in concept, design and execution;
be two-dimensional, and not exceed 28 inches wide by 28 inches long by 4 inches thick;
weigh less than 15 pounds;
be framed and include a hook or lip to hang up the art;
attach completed student information sheet to the back of the art piece which can be found on the DMS website.

The legislator shall provide the winning submission to DMS.
ATTN: Facility Manager
REDM, Department of Management Services
The Capitol, Suite LL12
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
8am - 5pm Monday through Friday

All winning submitters (one per school district) for the 2025 – 2026 School Year must complete the online form as well as the information sheet prior to sending in the art piece.

Each winning submission shall be provided to the legislator of the legislative district in which the student resides no later than 60 days before the start of each regular legislative session. The 2026 Legislative Session begins on January 13, 2026. Districts must submit the winning piece of art to their legislator by November 14, 2025.

The legislator shall provide the winning submission to DMS. DMS will receive and display the winning artwork, as well as serve as the point of contact to answer questions regarding the submission. Contact Tommy Bower (thomas.bower1@dms.fl.gov ) from DMS to answer any questions.

DMS will return all art to the appropriate legislator during the last week of the legislative session. Legislators will be responsible for returning the artwork to the students after the session concludes.

Dates for the 2026 Art in the Capitol Competition:

Fall 2025 – Districts may hold annual Art in the Capitol Competition for all students in grades 6-8.
November 14, 2025 – Each district’s winning selection of student artwork is given to legislator of the legislative district in which the student resides prior to or on this date.
January 13, 2026 – Start of regular session and opening date of exhibit at the Capitol.
March 13, 2026 – Last day of regular session; legislator will return winning submission to the student after this date.

For more information, please contact Timothy MacGregor, Director of Social Studies and the Arts in the Bureau of Standards and Instructional Support, at 850-245-0489 or by email at Timothy.MacGregor@fldoe.org