2026 DART Student Art Contest Guidelines
Deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026
- Each poster must visually illustrate the theme “Discover new horizons.”
- Designs must be original work created by the student. Limit one entry per student. No group entries allowed.
- Contestants must include the words “Discover new horizons.” somewhere in their submission. In addition, entries must incorporate DART into their design in some way. Examples could include using the DART logo, a DART vehicle, a DART facility and/or the word “DART” in their artwork.
- Entries must measure 11” high x 17” wide, and designs should be laid out horizontally. Students may use multiple colors of their choice. However, students should avoid black and white drawings or artwork. Entries should be submitted on heavy paper such as poster, tag or illustration board.
- Media may include crayons, paint, markers, colored pencils and non-AI digital art.
- All entries must include a completed entry form. First, contestants should complete the form found at DART.org/ArtContest. Next, they should print a single page that contains the key entry information from their completed form and affix it to the back of their artwork. Entries must be mailed or delivered in person. Online submissions will not be accepted. Entries may be picked up by DART staff, if requested. Entries must arrive no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026, and should be mailed to:
DART’s Transit Education Program
2025 Student Art Contest
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
1401 Pacific Avenue,
Dallas, TX 75202Hand-delivered entries should be directed to DART Headquarters (Attention: Carlos Huerta), located at 1401 Pacific Ave., Dallas, TX 75202. Turn in entries at the security desk on the first floor.
- DART will notify the teachers or parents of the winners no later than Friday, April 3, 2026, and all winners will be invited to a special recognition program and reception on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
- The 2026 DART Student Art Contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and judges will select one Best of Show winner from all K-12 entries. The Best of Show winner is not eligible to win additional prizes from their grade category.
- The Best of Show winner will have their artwork featured on DART buses and will receive a $1,250 cash prize from The Advocate. The Best of Show winner will also receive a staycation package from The Madison Hotel. The winning entry will also be posted on DART.org.
- The first-place winner in the kindergarten-2nd grade category will receive a $100 cash prize, while the first-place winner in the 3rd-5th grade category will receive a $150 cash prize. Runners-up and honorable mentions will also receive prizes.
- The first-place winner in the middle school category (6th-8th grade) will receive a $250 cash prize, and their artwork will be featured at DART rail stations and inside DART trains. Runners-up and honorable mentions will also receive prizes.
- The first-place winner in the high school category (9th-12th grade) will receive a $500 cash prize, and their artwork will be featured at DART rail stations and inside DART trains. Runners-up and honorable mentions will also receive prizes.
- Winner's artwork will be featured on DART.org; in the Dallas Museum of Art's online and in-person galleries; at Love Field Airport; at SPARK! Dallas; and at select DARTable locations.
- All artwork becomes the property of DART and may be used for advertising, sales or promotional purposes with appropriate credit to the artist. By entering the contest, you consent to have your name and photograph appear as one of the winners.
- Artwork will remain the property of DART after the contest’s conclusion. No artwork will be returned to the artist, parent or teacher.
- For more information about the contest, please contact Carlos Huerta at [email protected] or 214-749-2721.
DART's 13 Cities
For inspiration and research, DART encourages you to explore our partner cities throughout the metroplex.
You can have a fantastic journey to any of these cities through the DART system. Visit today!
Addison | Carrollton | Cockrell Hill | Dallas | Farmers Branch | Garland | Glenn Heights
Highland Park | Irving | Plano | Richardson | Rowlett | University Park
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