The Take Care of Texas Art Contest encourages Texas students to use their creativity to demonstrate positive ways people can reduce waste and protect the environment. Students in grades K-12 may submit an original drawing or painting based on the contest theme. Winners and runners-up receive prizes, with students in grades 11-12 eligible for scholarships of up to $2,000.
Scholarship Details
- Students in grades 11-12 are eligible for scholarships of up to $2,000
- Winners and runners-up are selected in multiple grade categories
- Artwork must illustrate positive ways Texans can reduce waste
- Artwork must include the phrase "Take Care of Texas" spelled correctly
- Each student may submit only one design
- Computer-generated and AI-generated artwork is not permitted
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be enrolled in grades K-12 as of December 2026, and can be from public, charter, or private schools, or can be homeschooled.
- Applicants must be current residents of Texas.
- Applicants must comply with these Official Rules.
- Employees and their immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings, children, and each of the respective spouses or people living in the same household of each) of TCEQ or Texas Chemistry Council are not eligible to participate.
Application Process
- Create an original drawing or painting depicting ways Texans can reduce waste.
- Include the phrase "Take Care of Texas" correctly within the artwork.
- Artwork must depict ways Texans can reduce waste.
- Artwork must include the phrase “Take Care of Texas” spelled correctly.
- Artwork must be submitted on an 8.5” x 11” piece of paper (landscape format is recommended).
- Artwork must be original work created by the contest participant.
- Artwork must not have been previously submitted, distributed, or have won any other award in any other competition.
- Each student may submit only one design.
- Each student’s parent or legal guardian must fill out the Contest Entry Form and Agreement (coming soon) and attach it to the artwork.
- Collages, computer-generated (including AI-generated) artwork, photography, or photocopies will not be accepted.
- Artwork must be two-dimensional, using watercolor,acrylic or oil paints,colored pencils, colored markers, ink, charcoal, pastels or crayons
- Glitter, glue, and tape are not allowed.
- Designs must not include company logos, product brands, or store names.
- Designs must not be framed, mounted, folded, or damaged.
Take Care of Texas is a statewide campaign from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ—the state’s environmental agency—created Take Care of Texas in 2007 to provide helpful information about our collective role in environmental protection in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Every Texan can help keep our air clean, reduce waste, and conserve our water.
