Second Lady Usha Vance: Bookmark Design Challenge to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary

Second Lady Usha Vance, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), announced Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, an opportunity for students in grades K–8 to design an original bookmark celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST (2 p.m. PST)

The Bookmark Design Challenge encourages young artists to create an original, hand-drawn bookmark reflecting what America means to them. Designs may explore themes such as American history and traditions, symbols of unity and democracy, creativity and innovation, ideas of community, or hopes for the nation’s future. Students are invited to interpret the theme freely and creatively using art materials of their choosing.

This challenge is open to students across the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Second Lady Usha Vance will select three national winners—one from each of the following categories: K–2, grades 3–5, and grades 6–8.

Instructions and guidelines here.