Children's Art Contest

CONTEST RULES:  

Theme:
Artwork should be based on the theme "Treasures of the Texas Coast" and depict why the Texas coast is important or special to the student.

Original Artwork:
Artwork must be original to the student and created without the use of any artificial
intelligence (AI) tools.

Deadline:
All entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 4, 2026 to be eligible.

Art Media & Content:
Acceptable art media are paint (acrylic, watercolor or oil paints), colored pencil, colored markers, ink, crayon, and chalk or fixed pastel. For display purposes, colorful and horizontal entries are preferred. The horizontal or vertical drawing or painting must measure approximately 8 ½” x 11”. Only artwork on art paper or cardstock will be accepted (no stretched canvas or canvas board). Entries must not be matted, framed, under glass, or have a protective covering attached to the art. All entries not meeting the above criteria will be disqualified.

Prohibited:
No company logos, product brands, or store names. No collages, photography, or photocopies. Damaged, late, or previously entered artwork will not be accepted. The General Land Office’s (GLO) determination regarding incomplete forms, lost, damaged, late, or previously entered artwork will be final. Only one entry per student is allowed. Household family members of the GLO employees are not eligible.

Entry Form:
All entries must have a COMPLETED Entry Form signed by a parent/guardian, and the student must personally sign their Pledge of Originality. If the form is not fully completed or submitted without both signatures, it will be disqualified. The Entry Form must be attached with tape or a clear glue stick to the back of the artwork.

PRIZES:
The grand prize winning student will receive one 6-8 night Caribbean cruise for two from Royal Caribbean International departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or Puerto Rico, and a family-level membership to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The grand prize winner's teacher will receive a $100 gift card to an art supply store.

NEW: All teachers (public, private, or homeschool) that submit qualified artwork from five or more students, with completed entry forms and eligible art entries, will be entered into a random drawing to receive one 6-8 night Caribbean cruise for two, courtesy of Royal Caribbean departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or Puerto Rico.

All 40 student winners will receive a gift card to an art supply store, a prize from Adopt-A-Beach, a certificate of recognition from the Texas General Land Office, and copies of the 2027 calendar displaying their winning artwork. Honorable mention awardees will receive a certificate and gift from Adopt-A-Beach. Additional prizes may be awarded. All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prize winner.

For more information, please see our FAQs, or contact the Adopt-A-Beach program toll free in Texas at 877-TXCOAST (892-6278) or at beach@glo.texas.gov.