Holiday Card Art Competition 2026

Students in North Carolina are invited to participate in the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) Holiday Card Art Competition, a statewide competition that showcases young artists' talent. The winning pieces will be displayed on OSA’s 2026 holiday card. 

  • Open to K-12 students across North Carolina 
  • Submit entries by November 12, 2026.  

Before submitting, review the guidelines carefully to ensure your artwork meets eligibility and submission requirements. 

Competition Rules:

  • Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor.
  • Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
  • Collages - must be two-dimensional.
  • Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints.
  • Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
  • Photography.

All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws.

Any entry copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) created by someone (including AI) other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM on November 12, 2026.

High-quality photo(s) or video(s) submissions via email are preferred.

Please send to constituentservices@ncauditor.gov with the subject line: Holiday Card Art Submission – [Student Name].

For students under the age of 18, each submission must be accompanied by a Release Form, signed by the student artist, parent or guardian and art teacher. For students over the age of 18, each submission must be accompanied by a Release Form, signed by the student artist and art teacher.

Student Information & Release Form

How to Submit:

Email your artwork to constituentservices@ncauditor.gov with the subject line: Holiday Card Art Submission – [Student Name].

  • Include your full name, grade level, school name, and a short description of your artwork
  • Include a copy of your completed release form
     

All submissions will be evaluated by a panel of judges using the following selection criteria:

  • How clearly and creatively does the artwork reflect North Carolina and holiday spirit?
  • Does the piece evoke seasonal traditions, landscapes, cultural elements, or local celebrations?
  • Is the theme integrated in a meaningful and original way?

  • Effective use of space, balance, and visual flow.
  • Strong composition that guides the viewer’s eye and supports the theme.
  • Thoughtful arrangement of elements such as color, shape, texture, and line.

  • Unique perspective or concept that sets the piece apart.
  • Inventive use of materials or techniques.
  • Avoids clichés or overly literal interpretations.

  • Clean execution and attention to detail.
  • Appropriate use of medium (e.g., paint, pencil, mixed media).
  • Neat presentation (e.g., no smudges, crooked scans, or visible backgrounds).

  • Emotional resonance or narrative conveyed through the artwork.
  • Does the piece catch the eye and hold attention?
  • Does it tell a story or evoke a mood that aligns with the holiday season in North Carolina?

  • Low-resolution or poorly scanned images.
  • Incomplete or missing submission information.
  • Artwork that does not adhere to the theme.
  • Plagiarism or use of copyrighted or AI material.
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