Students in grades 3–12 invited to submit artwork inspired by important figures in American history
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 7, 2026)—To mark this year’s U.S. Semiquincentennial, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has committed $730,000 to sponsor a Freedom 250 national student art competition honoring important figures of American history.
The Freedom 250 American Heroes Student Art Contest invites students in grades 3–12 to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary by creating artwork inspired by the 250 historic Americans to be honored with statues in the National Garden of American Heroes.
“The National Endowment for the Humanities is proud to sponsor the Freedom 250 American Heroes Student Art Contest, an initiative that not only fosters creativity but also deepens students’ understanding of the individuals who have shaped our nation,” said NEH Acting Chairman William English. “This contest offers a meaningful opportunity for young people to mark the nation’s birthday by reflecting on the values of service, courage, and leadership, and to express those ideals through their own artistic voices.”
The American Heroes Student Art Contest invites students to submit an original artwork that creatively represents one of the more than 2o0 individuals identified in the 2021 Presidential Executive Order “Building the National Garden of American Heroes.” Participants may choose to depict the historical American hero, or ideas, themes, places, symbols, or cultural practices associated with the individual. The artwork may also reflect the influence of an American art movement or known artist.
Submissions should be accompanied by an “artist statement” from the student describing the artwork and the importance of the chosen hero. The deadline for entry is June 1, 2026. Participants should consult the Freedom 250 site for additional information on the competition, educational resources for students to support their creative and writing processes, and how to enter.
Freedom 250 will award up to 168 first-place prizes to students at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels from each U.S. state and territory. Winners will receive a travel allowance to attend the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., with a parent or guardian this summer, where all winning artworks will be featured in an exhibition and honored in an awards ceremony.
The American Heroes Student Art Contest aims to foster creativity, artistic skill, historic reflection, patriotism, and aspirations of excellence among the next generation of artists, cultural leaders, and citizens. NEH’s sponsorship of the contest responds to the January 29, 2025 Presidential Executive Order “Celebrating America’s Birthday,” and is part of the agency’s larger A More Perfect Union initiative focused on exploring America’s story and celebrating its 250 years of cultural heritage
Learn more about the competition at Freedom 250.
Freedom 250 American Heroes Student Art Contest materials:
At-a-Glance List of 250 American Heroes
American Heroes Biographies
Slide Deck of American Art Styles
Artist Statement Planning Worksheet
ArtCall Submission Platform
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): The National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.
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