ART CONTEST 2025-2026
Harmony in Motion:
Finding Peace in a Changing World
Theme: "Harmony in Motion: Finding Peace in a Changing World"
Calling all dedicated young artists and thoughtful minds! Prepare to embark on a journey of profound self-expression as you participate in our prestigious Art Contest. This competition challenges students to delve deep into the contemplative theme of
This year’s theme, "Harmony in Motion: Finding Peace in a Changing World" invites artists to reflect on how we create balance in the midst of constant change. Our world is alive, dynamic, and always moving.
We welcome artwork that explores questions such as:
-
How can peace and harmony be discovered while everything is in motion?
-
What does harmony look like in a world that is constantly changing?
-
How do people, communities, or even nature itself find balance and beauty amid challenges?
Artists are encouraged to share their vision of harmony, balance, and peace through painting, drawing, photography, or video.
Rules
Three Categories
Drawing/Painting Category Rules:
1. Submissions may use any two-dimensional medium, including Drawing, Painting, Collage, and Graphic Design.
2. Original work must measure 16” x 20” and should be either mounted on an illustration board of equal size, preferably in black, or presented on a canvas of the same dimensions.
3. Each student can submit one entry per category: drawing/painting, photography, and video.
4. ALL ART SUBMISSIONS MUST BE REGISTERED ONLINE at www.artcontestdfw.org and physically received at 1416 E. Collins Blvd., Richardson, TX 75002 by February 20, 2024.
5. Artwork must be unpublished, completed by one person, an original concept not copied from copyrighted material. Before shipping, complete a submission form at www.artcontestdfw.org/submission (select your category and level) and receive a code.
Photography Category Rules:
1. ALL PHOTOGRAPHY SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE at www.artcontestdfw.org/submission . Submit well before the deadline to account for potential technical issues.
2. Actual photos should be 8” x 10”.
3. Photography work includes color and black & white works.
4. All images must be two-dimensional, original, and not appropriated from any other resource unless dramatically altered.
5. Artwork must be unpublished and completed by one person.
Videography Category Rules
1. Your video should effectively communicate the contest theme, "The Art of Living Together," delivering a clear and compelling message. Ensure your content is appropriate for all audiences.
2. Videos should be a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 2.5 minutes. Each participant or team may submit only one video entry.
3. Videos must be submitted in .MP4, .MKV, or .MOV formats and are at most 256MB in size. Ensure that your video is of sufficient quality for viewing. To submit your video, visit artcontestdfw.org/submission.
4. Videos should be original; avoid using copyrighted material without proper permission.
5. By submitting your video, you grant Dialogue Institute Dallas the right to use, copy, and display your video for promotional and informational purposes.
Awards
The awards for winners vary based on the category and placement. Here are the awards for high school and college/university students in the Drawing/Painting and Videography/Photography categories
$500
1st Place
For both categories each for both high school & college students
$300
2nd Place
For both categories each for both high school & college students
$200
3rd Place
For both categories each for both high school & college students
$100
7x
Honorable Mentions
For both categories each for both high school & college students
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can participate in the Art Contest?
Any high school, college, and university students who are attending high schools/universities/homeschools in the DFW Metroplex area are eligible to participate.
2. What is the theme of the Art Contest?
The theme of the contest is "Harmony in Motion: Finding Peace in a Changing World."
3. What are the subtopics for the theme "Harmony in Motion: Finding Peace in a Changing World"?
Subtopics include but not limited to "What does harmony look like in a World that is constantly changing?", "Bridging Differences: Building Harmony Across Cultures and Perspectives", "Finding Balance Within: Cultivating Inner Peace in Daily Life"
4. What is the timeline for the 2025-2026 Art Contest?
-
Kick-off Date (Call for Submissions Opens): August 21, 2025
-
Submission Deadline: February 4, 2026
-
Judging Period: February 9, 2024 – February 20, 2026
-
Finalists Announced: March 23, 2026
-
Awards Ceremony and Exhibition: Aril 24, 2026 (Tentative)
5. When and where should the physical artwork be delivered?
All artworks must be delivered to the Dialogue Institute Dallas (1416 E. Collins Blvd., Richardson, Texas 75081) by February 4, 2026.
If the participating school is located more than 20 miles away from the Dialogue Institute, submissions may instead be dropped off at a location designated by the relevant school district.
6. What types of art forms are accepted for submissions by students?
Students can submit artwork in various forms, including
-
Painting/Drawing/Digital Art
-
Photography/Videography