Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest of 2026

The Wildlife of Arkansas Student Art Contest is a free competition open to K-12th grade students in Arkansas. The contest theme acknowledges the natural beauty of Arkansas by providing inspiration for students to explore their natural surroundings and artistic abilities. Artwork must feature Arkansas-native plants, wildlife, and/or landscapes. The term wildlife is not limited to animals but can also include plants, wildflowers, or landscapes.

Submissions are accepted January 12 - March 31, 2026 through an online platform with separate entry forms for each grade category: Elementary (K-4), Middle (5-8), and High (9-12). One entry per student is accepted. Artwork must be the student's original work completed in the current school year, two-dimensional (no sculptures), and a single piece (no series). Medium can be oil, acrylic, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, graphite, ink, and mixed media on canvas, wood, paper, or poster board no larger than 24"x32". All submissions must be titled and submitted as photographs taken online.

Artwork is judged based on three criteria: creativity, skill, and interpretation of the theme. A panel of professional artists will select 4 winners in each grade level (1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and honorable mention), plus one Best of Show winner in each grade category. Winning artwork will be featured in a traveling art exhibition showcased at locations around the state beginning at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, where student winners will be recognized at a reception. Artwork will also be featured in the summer issue of Arkansas Out of Doors magazine, the official publication of Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Each winner will receive a copy of the magazine featuring their winning artwork. For questions, contact Sim Barrow at [email protected].