The K12 Art Competition is now closed. Public voting is now open!
We invited students in grades K–12 to enter their creative masterpieces in the 2025 K12 Art Competition whether they were digital art, physical 2D and 3D creations, or photography! All entries are now in—and we need your help to select our People’s Choice Winners.
There will be one People’s Choice winner determined in each grade level and category by public voting for a total of 39 winners. Public voting will happen through the Art Competition landing page starting at 9 AM (ET) on August 26 through 5 PM (ET) on September 26. Any individual will be eligible to vote and will be allowed three votes per day during the voting period.
Students will compete against others in their grade level across each category, with more than $15,000 in cash prizes up for grabs!
Public voting will end on September 26, 2025 at 5 PM (ET).
Competition Schedule
May 13 - Aug 25
Art submissions open
Aug 26–Oct 3
Judging period
Aug 26-Sept 26
Public voting period
October 22
Winners announced
Prizes You Can Win
Judge’s Choice
A panel of Stride, Inc. judges will select one 1st- and 2nd-place winner per grade for each category—that’s 78 winners total!
First Place
$250
(Your choice of cash or Amazon e-gift card)
Second Place
$100
(Your choice of cash or Amazon e-gift card)
People’s Choice
Become a fan favorite! Public voting will determine one winner per grade for each category—that’s 39 total People’s Choice winners!
$50
(Your choice of cash or Amazon e-gift card)
Judging Criteria
Finalists will present their artwork to a panel of judges during a live Zoom call. Here’s what they’re looking for:
Physical Art
- Creativity and originality
- Technical skill and craftsmanship
- Composition and use of space
- Expression and emotional impact
Digital Art
- Creativity and originality
- Technical proficiency with digital tools
- Composition and visual impact
- Innovation and use of digital techniques
Photography
- Creativity and originality
- Technical skills and use of photographic techniques
- Composition and framing
- Storytelling and emotional impact
The Artistic Palette's
Physical Art
Entries in this category could be either 2D or 3D creations using traditional materials. Entrants submitted a clear photo of their piece and if selected as a finalist, will present it during a live Zoom call to our judges.
Examples:
- Paintings: Watercolor, acrylic, oil, or gouache on canvas or paper.
- Drawings: Pencil, charcoal, ink, or pastel on paper.
- Sculptures: Clay, wood, metal, or found objects transformed into 3D works.
- Collages: Unique compositions made by assembling paper, fabric, and other materials.
Digital Art
Entries in this category come to life using digital tools and software.
Examples:
- Digital Paintings: Created with tools like Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, or Corel Painter.
- Illustrations: Vector or raster illustrations made with tools like Adobe Illustrator or Clip Studio Paint.
- Graphic Designs: Posters, logos, and other design projects created using design software.
Photography
Entries in this category capture the world through a lens and tell a visual story.
Examples:
- Smartphone Photography: Use your phone’s advanced camera to snap stunning images.
- DSLR Photography: Take control with a DSLR to capture professional-quality shots.
- Film Photography: Explore the timeless beauty of film and traditional photo development.
- Mirrorless Photography: Use cutting-edge technology to capture striking images.
- Point-and-Shoot Photography: Keep it simple while capturing life’s special moments.
Explore the 2024 Art Gallery
Check out artwork from last year’s winners and get ideas for your own masterpiece!
Physical Art
Digital Art
Photography
Please review the rules and regulations related to the K12 Art Competition. When registering, you must agree to these terms and conditions.
Stay in the know.
