ACCEL National Art Competition
Every student has a story. What does yours look like?
SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORKWhether you draw, paint, sketch, or create digitally, this is your invitation to pick up your tools and show us what community means to you. The ACCEL National Art Competition is open to all enrolled ACCEL students in grades K–12. Submit your original artwork for a chance to win prizes, have your work featured across the ACCEL network, and earn a People's Choice vote from students and families nationwide.
What You Can Submit
We welcome all two-dimensional original artwork including drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, mixed media, and digital art. Submissions must be the student's own original work. AI-generated images are not permitted — all entries will be reviewed, and any submission suspected of containing AI-generated content will be disqualified.
File format
JPG or PNG
File size
1MB–10MB
This Year's Theme: Colors of Community
What does community look like through your eyes? Use your art to show us the people, places, feelings, or traditions that connect you to something bigger than yourself. Each grade band has its own prompt below.
Draw or paint a picture of your community! It could be your neighborhood, your family, your friends, or any place that feels like home to you. Show us what makes your community special!
Create an original artwork that shows what community means to you. Think about the people, places, or traditions that bring your world together — and find a creative way to show it.
What does community look like through your eyes? Create an original piece that captures a feeling, a place, a moment, or a relationship that connects you to something bigger than yourself.
Community can mean many things — a neighborhood, a culture, an idea, a shared experience. Create an original artwork that expresses your personal vision of what it means to belong.
Timeline
Prizes
Winners are selected in four grade bands (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12). Each band awards:
$200 gift card
$150 gift card
$100 gift card
Voted on by the ACCEL community
Rules & Fine Print
One entry per student. Artwork must be created entirely by the student — no AI-generated content. By submitting, you grant ACCEL Schools permission to display your artwork publicly on our Padlet gallery and in ACCEL communications including our Community Connections newsletter. Judging for 1st and 2nd place is conducted by a panel of ACCEL art educators. People's Choice is determined by community vote during the voting window. All decisions are final.