Art and Essay Contest 2025

Celebrate the Navy and Marine Corps: Enter the Museum Masterpieces Art and Essay Contest!

The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation (NAMF) is proud to announce the fourth annual Museum Masterpieces Art and Essay Contest in honor of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. This special year invites participants to create art and essays that celebrate the values of honor, courage, and commitment of these two iconic branches of the military.

Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a budding writer, the Museum Masterpieces contest provides a chance for all ages to get creative and pay tribute to the Navy and Marines in a meaningful way. We invite students from grades K through 12 to participate in this exciting event.

View the ENTRY FORM
Theme: A Tribute to 250 Years of Service

The contest theme is simple: create artwork or write an essay/poem that wishes a happy birthday to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps or honors the valor, service, and legacy of these service members. Your submission can take many forms—whether visual or written, we want to see your creativity shine through as you celebrate these distinguished branches of the military.
Categories & Guidelines
The Museum Masterpieces contest is divided into several categories, ensuring that all students, regardless of age or skill level, have the chance to showcase their work:

  1. Art (Grades K – 2)
  2. Art (Grades 3 – 5)
  3. Art (Grades 6 – 8)
  4. Art (Grades 9 – 12)
  5. Essay/Poem (Grades 6 – 12)

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Originality: All content must be original. AI-generated submissions will not be accepted.
  2. Art Guidelines:
    1. Art must be created with pencils, paints, charcoal, or markers only.
    2. Digital art, photography, and three-dimensional pieces are not eligible.
    3. Art must be no larger than 11″ x 17″.
    4. Glitter is not allowed in any artwork.
  1. Essay/Poem Guidelines:
    1. Essays and poems can be submitted digitally (Word or PDF format).
    2. Plagiarism will be checked.
Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged based on:

  1. Originality and creativity.
  2. Relevance to the theme of honoring the Navy and Marines, or celebrating their 250th anniversary.
  3. Quality of execution (how well the submission communicates the intended tribute).
Submission Details

• Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on April 28, 2025.
• Mail Submissions: Art submissions must be sent via snail mail. No digital submissions for art are allowed. Mail your artwork to:

Naval Aviation Museum Foundation
Attention: ART ESSAY
1750 Radford Blvd., Suite B, Pensacola, FL 32508

• Digital Submissions for Essays: Essays and poems should be submitted via email to dhayden@navalaviationmuseum.org with the subject line ART ESSAY.

Escambia and Santa Rosa County students have special drop-off location options. These are listed on the entry form.

Prizes and Recognition

There will be ribbons awarded to the first, second, and third-place winners in each category. Additionally:

  1. Winners’ submissions will be displayed at the National Naval Aviation Museum for at least six months beginning in July 2025.
  2. First-place winners in each category will receive a $100 gift card.
Important Information
  1. Each student can submit one piece of art and one essay/poem if they are in grades 6–12.
  2. Entries become the property of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and will not be returned.
  3. Contestants must fill out the entry form completely, including a parent/guardian’s contact information.
Why Enter?

This contest is more than just a creative challenge—it’s a chance to contribute to the celebration of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary and to honor those who serve in these vital branches of our military. Whether through the lens of art or words, your submission could be part of a historical tribute displayed at the National Naval Aviation Museum, making this a memorable and impactful experience.

Ready to Create Your Masterpiece?

View the ENTRY FORM

We can’t wait to see your creations that pay tribute to the Navy and Marine Corps. Remember, the deadline for submissions is April 28, 2025, so gather your supplies and get started on your entry today!

For more details, including how to submit, visit the official Museum Masterpieces Contest page or contact Dianna Hayden at dhayden@navalaviationmuseum.org for any questions.

Join Us in Celebrating 250 Years of Honor, Courage, and Commitment!

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have inspired generations of service members and citizens alike. With your participation in the Museum Masterpieces Art and Essay Contest, you can contribute your own tribute to these remarkable institutions.
Let’s honor 250 years of service, together!