WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Endowment for the Arts has extended the deadline for its national Bookmark Design Challenge, giving K-8 students until Monday, April 6, to submit original hand-drawn bookmarks celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The original deadline was March 31.
The contest, launched in partnership with the Office of Second Lady Usha Vance, invites students nationwide to create a bookmark that reflects what America means to them — its history, heritage, people, cultural traditions, hopes for the future, symbols of unity and democracy, or ideas of community, creativity and innovation.
“The Bookmark Design Challenge invites students to reflect on our shared history and begin imagining our future as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary,” Vance said in the February announcement. “I hope the winning bookmarks will inspire kids to pick up a book and learn something new about our country as part of my Summer Reading Challenge!”
NEA Chairman Mary Anne Carter added: “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to invite young people to reflect on what our country means to them through creativity. It is an honor to work with the Office of the Second Lady to celebrate the imagination and curiosity of our nation’s students while highlighting the vital role the arts play in helping us understand our history, our communities, and our shared future.”
Submissions must be created on an official one-page template using crayons, markers, pencils, pastels or similar materials. Digital art, computer-generated images and AI-assisted designs are prohibited. Entries must be scanned or photographed as high-resolution JPG or PNG files (900 x 2400 pixels, 300 dpi recommended) and submitted online by a parent or guardian along with a signed participant acknowledgment form. Only one entry per student is allowed.
The contest is open to K-8 students residing or attending school in the 50 states, District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, Department of Defense Education Activity schools, U.S. military installations abroad, accredited international schools or homeschool programs. Children of NEA or Office of the Second Lady personnel are ineligible.
Three national winners — one each from grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 — will be selected by Second Lady Vance after an initial review by NEA staff. Their designs will appear on NEA websites, be printed and distributed to the public at the Great American State Fair (June 25–July 10, 2026) and other 250th-anniversary events, and featured in the Second Lady’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Each winner and a parent or guardian will receive an invitation to Washington for a literacy event on the fairgrounds.
Designs may not include political content, partisan imagery, profanity, corporate logos, copyrighted material, school names or any personally identifiable information. All artwork must be wholly original.
Author: Mario Lotmore
