Maryland Aviation Art Contest

Planes and helicopters help us travel far and fast, bringing people together from all over the world. They also help during emergencies, like delivering food, medicine, fighting wildfires, and finding people who need help. But flying isn’t just about helping others, it can also help you. When people do air sports it helps them feel happy, confident, and strong. Being in the sky makes people feel free, can connect them to nature, and exercises complete focus on a single task, all of which are great for their wellbeing.

Download the brochure to learn more and complete your Certificate of Authenticity to enter.

Theme: Fly to Save Lives

For the 2026 FAI Young Artists Contest, we want youngsters to focus their creativity on how aviation and air sports can help save lives.

Using pencils, crayons, pens or paint, show us how flight can make the world a safer and better place.

State Awards: The top three entries in each category will advance to the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) national contest and receive the following awards.

• 1^st place Discovery Flight
• 2^nd place $50 gift card for art supplies
• 3^rd place $25 gift card for art supplies

Deadline:  Friday, January 16, 2026.

Rules:

• Canvas size must be11 ¾” x 16 ½” or nearest equivalent.
• Artwork should not be framed or outlined with borders
• Artwork should clearly represent the theme of the contest
• Art may be watercolor, colored pencil, acrylic, oil paint, indelible marker pens, felt-tip pens, soft ball-point pens, indelible ink, or crayon
• Art may not be a non-permanent medium such as pencil or charcoal, computer-generated, collage work using photocopies.
• Artwork should be submitted with a completed certificate of authenticity (found in the brochure), and must be labeled on the back with the artists first name, birth year, and parent/teacher’s contact information.
• Once received, entries become (and remain) the property of the Maryland Aviation Administration and NASAO, and may be used for a variety of purposes.

This contest is part of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) Art Contest. Visit the NASAO website to learn more about the contest theme, age categories, and rules.

Eligibility: Children ages 6-17 who live or attend school in Maryland are eligible to enter in the below categories

                Junior: born January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2019

                Intermediate: born January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2015

                Senior: born January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2011

Submit Artwork with Certificate of Authenticity to:
Chelsea Dorman
Office of Regional Aviation Assistance
P.O. Box 8766
BWI Airport, MD 21240

The Maryland Aviation Art Contest is sponsored by the Maryland Aviation Administration and the Maryland Aviation Council.