2026 Teen Art Contest

Next date: Friday, May 01, 2026 | 12:00 AM to Monday, June 22, 2026 | 12:00 AM

Teen Art Contest 2026 Rules

Siouxland Libraries invites middle and high schoolers to imagine, design, and create an original piece of artwork for its 2026 Teen Art Contest. Teens may submit artwork in any medium on any subject. Content must be rated “G” or “PG” to be accepted. Only one entry per person will be accepted.

Participants must be in grades 6 through 12 (in the 2025-2026 school year). All teens are invited to participate; however, to be eligible for awards and prizes, participants must live within the Siouxland Libraries’ service area. Prizes must be picked up in-person.

To Enter

Submit a photo of your artwork through this online entry form. Art entries will be judged in person, but photos will be used for the online gallery. Please use quality lighting and focus. Entries are due by 8pm on Monday, June 22nd.

By submitting your artwork, you agree to the following:

• Submission of artwork grants Siouxland Libraries the right to share images of artwork on its website, virtual gallery, social media pages, and with our sponsors.
• Entries must be original artwork in any medium (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, etc). • AI generated artwork will not be accepted. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
• Artwork submitted in previous years’ contests is not accepted.
• Siouxland Libraries does not guarantee that all artwork will be displayed in the Downtown Library Art Exhibit, depending on our limited space.
• Siouxland Libraries cannot assume responsibility beyond the normal precautions for artwork displayed in the Downtown Library Teen Art Exhibit. Art is left at the library at your own risk.
• Artwork must be picked up by August 7th or it will be disposed of, unless other arrangements are made.

Art Exhibit

Artwork will be displayed at the Downtown Library July 2nd through July 24th. Participants must drop off their artwork at the Downtown Library no later than June 26th to be included in the art exhibit. Please bring artwork that is ready to hang and display – frames with hanging wire, saw-tooth hooks, easels for 3D pieces, etc. To be eligible for an award, artwork must be displayed in-person at the Downtown Library. An online gallery will also be available for viewing purposes.

Art Show

An invitation will be sent to all contest participants to attend an in-person Art Show scheduled for Friday, July 24th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library.

Awards

First-, second- and third-place winners will be selected from three age groups: grades 6&7, grades 8&9, and grades 10-12. Winners will be determined by a panel of local artists. To be eligible for an award, artwork must be in the Art Exhibit.

• Best in Show Award: A gift certificate value of $100 sponsored by Piper Arts.
• First-place winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate sponsored by Security Savings Bank.
• Second- and third-place winners will each receive art bundle sets.
• People’s Choice Award: To be awarded at the Art Show, a $100 gift certificate sponsored by Piper Arts.

For any questions, email Library.Teen@siouxfalls.gov or call Siouxland Libraries at 605-367-8700

 

A special thanks to our sponsors:

When

Location

Downtown Library, 200 N Dakota Ave, Sioux Falls, 57104, View Map