Other Arts Opportunities

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Each Congressional office hosts its own competition for high school students in their district using its own criteria. Once a winner is selected, their artwork is displayed for 11 months in the Cannon Tunnel that leads into the U.S. Capitol – a path frequented by Members of Congress, staff, and visitors from around the world. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. 

To facilitate this important competition, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari’s District Office will foster outreach to local high schools, nominate local artists as judges and celebrate the contestants in a ceremony honoring their contribution. 

All high school students who live in our district are invited to participate. The winner will be displayed in Washington D.C. while the runner up, third and fourth place contestants will have their artwork displayed in the lobby of Congresswoman Ansari’s District Office for 11 months. 

The deadline for submissions to the 2025 Congressional Art Competition is April 11th, 2025.

Learn More and Apply

The Arizona State Parks Artist Residency Program is a collaborative initiative between Arizona State Parks and Trails (ASPT) and the Arizona Commission on the Arts (Arts Commission) funded by the Arizona Community Foundation and designed to immerse Arizona-based artists in the state’s natural ecosystems.

The program provides artists with dedicated time, space, and resources to create work inspired by local landscapes in State Parks, promoting aesthetic appreciation, environmental education, and community engagement.

By bringing artists to parks like Patagonia Lake State Park, the program fosters creative exploration that connects art with the environment, while encouraging the preservation and appreciation of Arizona’s unique natural and cultural heritage.

Deadline to apply is May 6, 2025.

Learn More and Apply

Roosevelt Row, CDC, organizes First Fridays, a free, all-ages event that draws thousands of attendees from dozens of city blocks downtown around Roosevelt Road and Grand Avenue.

First Friday festivities technically take place from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Depending on the time of year, you’ll likely see a handful of vendors setting up and foot traffic before 6:00 p.m. By 7:00 p.m., the sidewalks start filling up, and by 8 p.m., the event is in full swing. Some venues and vendors stay open beyond 10:00 p.m. If you want to linger longer, we recommend checking in advance or asking around as you go. 

Timing tip: Arrive early to explore parking options or take the Valley Metro Rail (one-way, $2; all-day, $4) to the "Roosevelt/Central Ave" station.

​Want to become a vendor? Contact Roosevelt Ro​​​​w at vendor@rooseveltrow.org​ or 602-705-8150.​​