Arteffect competition
Young artists participating in ARTEFFECT bring to life the stories of Unsung Heroes—individuals who demonstrated heroic traits and actions that made a profound impact on others, yet went largely unrecognized. Since 2016, this annual competition has engaged thousands of students in grades 6–12 worldwide, inviting them to honor these role models through original artworks created in a range of mediums and artistic expressions.
Overview
The ARTEFFECT annual competition—free and open to all students in grades 6-12—encourages young artists to shape the future by celebrating stories of role models from history. Since 2016, students have participated in ARTEFFECT from around the globe. Young artists creatively interpret the stories of Unsung Heroes by creating original visual artworks, writing reflective Impact Statements (500-1,000 words), and showcasing their projects in their classrooms and communities to stimulate positive change.
ARTEFFECT welcomes a range of artistic approaches.Young artists may explore the stories of their chosen [LMC Unsung Hero] through abstraction, landscape, narrative art, portraiture, and more. Various 2D and 3D mediums are eligible for submission including assemblage, digital art, drawings, mixed media, paintings, prints, sculpture, and textiles. There is no size limit. In the Impact Statement, students discuss their Unsung Hero’s unique contribution, their creative process and interpretation, and their plans for sharing their artworks with others.
AWARDS CATEGORIES
ARTEFFECT is an annual juried competition that offers multiple awards across varied categories. All finalists and winners are featured on the ARTEFFECT website. The 2026 award categories are:
TOP AWARDS
Grand Prize
High School (9-12th grades)
Second Place—$2,000
Middle School (6-8th grades)
Second Place—$1,000
Spotlight prizes
Funded and sponsored by the Lowell Milken Family Foundation, the Spotlight Prize offers $1,000 per winner. The Spotlight Prize – Unsung Hero category encourages students to create projects about Unsung Heroes, selected annually, who have been underrepresented in the competition over the years.
The 2026 Spotlight Prize Unsung Heroes are:
Spotlight Prize - Media
The new Spotlight Prize – Media category encourages students who create artworks in selected mediums and formats.
Spotlight Prizes are $1,000 and there may be multiple winners in this category. Spotlight Prize submissions are eligible for all top awards and prizes but can only win one. No submission can win more than one award or prize.
The 2025 categories are:
Certificates of Excellence
The judging panel may designate additional awards and Certificates of Excellence at their discretion. The judging panel will give the most consideration to entries that celebrate the Unsung Hero’s story in a high-quality and well-crafted artwork that is visually compelling and original in concept. Competition winners receive cash prizes. Selected award-winning artworks will receive consideration for display in ARTEFFECT exhibitions.
Students
Students interested in participating can begin by reviewing the Unsung Hero Directory to choose a subject for their project. Students should also review the competition rules and guidelines, eligibility criteria, project components, judging rubric, and steps in the submission process using the links below.
educators
Interested in getting your students and school involved? The ARTEFFECT annual competition offers an opportunity for students to engage in interdisciplinary lessons that meet multiple parts of the National Arts Standards. The project can be scaled up or down based according to your grade level and classroom interests. Teachers who sponsor award-winning students in the competition will be recognized in ARTEFFECT announcements alongside your student and school.
Get started by reviewing the Unsung Heroes Directory, the competition lesson plan, and the judging rubric. Join the free online professional development sessions to support your teaching and learning through the stories of the Unsung Heroes.
