Design a bookmark. Share your story. Be a part of history.
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Office of the Second Lady of the United States, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), invites K–8 students nationwide to take part in the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th.
Students are encouraged to create an original, hand-drawn bookmark that shows what America means to them—history or heritage, important moments or people, cultural traditions, hopes for the future, symbols of unity and democracy, ideas of community, creativity and innovation.
Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET Who Can ParticipateCandidates must be K–8 students, including those residing or attending school in the United States, its territories, or abroad (including DoDEA schools, U.S. military installations, accredited international schools, or homeschooling programs).How It WorksDownload and read the “Instructions and Guidelines,” which include the official bookmark template and the application instructions.Print the template and create an original design using crayons, markers, pencils, pastels, etc.A parent or guardian completes the NEA online submission form (select the relevant form below) and uploads the design and the participant acknowledgement form.Awards & Recognition
Three national winners will be selected, one from each grade group (K–2, 3–5, 6–8). The NEA will feature the three winning student designs on their websites. The bookmarks will also be printed and distributed to the public at the Great American State Fair and other related NEA and Office of the Second Lady events. In addition, each winning student, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will be invited to Washington, DC, to participate in a literacy event on a Great American State Fair stage.
Questions? Contact bookmarks@arts.gov