By Tricia White | Managing Editor
Give your child a chance to shine in the 2026 DART Student Art Contest! Kids K-12 can win prizes and have their artwork featured on DART.
DART invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to enter their annual Student Art Contest for a chance to win cash and prizes. This year’s theme — “Discover new horizons” — celebrates the exciting adventure that public transportation promises for riders young and old alike.
There’s a big, exciting world out there, and DART is a child’s ticket to discovering it! Every trip is a new adventure, whether they’re riding DART Rail, buses, GoLink, the TRE, the Dallas Streetcar, the M-Line Trolley or DART’s newest regional rail service, the Silver Line. Every stop brings something new to see — and new horizons to discover. Got a talented young artist at home? Tell them to grab their pass and let their imagination lead the way!
It’s time to brighten North Texas with works of D“ART”!
Entries should be submitted on heavy paper such as poster, tag or illustration board. Students may use multiple colors of their choice; however, DART recommends that students avoid black and white drawings or artwork.
Here are four tips to help a child create a quality submission:
1. Ensure entries measure 11” high x 17” wide, formatted horizontally.
2. Include the theme’s wording “Discover new horizons” somewhere in the submission.
3. Incorporate DART into the design in some way, such as using the DART logo, a DART vehicle, a DART facility and/or the word “DART” in their artwork.
4. Submit artwork via mail or in person to DART Headquarters in downtown Dallas by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. Online entries will not be accepted.
The 2026 DART Student Art Contest provides young artists with plenty of incentive to create something special. Winners receive cash and prizes and have an opportunity to have their artwork featured in galleries and on DART buses and trains! In addition, all winners will be invited to a special recognition program and reception.
DART is proud to present this contest and provide young artists with a platform for their creativity year after year. The organization recognizes the role that art plays in bringing people together and brightening our communities, in much the same way that public transportation positively impacts the community. This contest is just one of the offerings from their Transit Education program, which teaches people of all ages about the role that public transportation plays in their lives. The program also offers tours, presentations and more.
Students only have until Friday, February 13, 2026 to submit their entries, so act fast! For complete rules, prize information and more, please click here.