Freedom 250 and National Endowment for the Humanities to Honor Winners of National American Heroes Student Art Contest
Second Lady Usha Vance to Deliver Remarks During Awards Ceremony Celebrating Student Artists from Across America
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will honor more than 130 student artists from across the United States and U.S. territories during the American Heroes Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony on July 8 in Washington, D.C. The event, part of the nationwide celebration of America's 250th anniversary, will feature remarks from Second Lady Usha Vance, leaders representing the White House Task Force 250, NEH, and Freedom 250, as state, regional, and national contest winners are recognized for their artistic achievements.
WHO
- Second Lady Usha Vance, Distinguished Judge of National Winners, American Heroes Student Art Contest
- Brittany Baldwin, Executive Director, White House Task Force 250
- Dr. Bill English, Acting Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities
- Keith Krach, CEO, Freedom 250
- Julio Reyes, American Contemporary Artist and Judge of State and Territory Winners
- Julie Carmean, Senior Programs Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities
- Contest winners and families from across the United States and U.S. territories
WHAT:
Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) will host the American Heroes Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding student artists from across the United States and territories as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration.
The ceremony will feature remarks from Second Lady Usha Vance, White House Task Force 250 Executive Director Brittany Baldwin, NEH Acting Chairman Bill English, Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach, and nationally recognized artist Julio Reyes. More than 130 state and territory winners from elementary, middle, and high school divisions will be honored, with regional and national winners announced during the program.
WHEN:
Wednesday, **July 8, 2026
TIMING:
Media Arrival at 9:30 am ET
Program Begins at 10:00 am ET
WHERE:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Whitten Patio Atrium
Washington, D.C.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Remarks from Second Lady Usha Vance
- Recognition of state and territory winners in elementary, middle, and high school divisions
- Announcement of regional winners representing the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, and U.S. Territories
- Announcement of three National Winners by NEH Acting Chairman Bill English
- Closing remarks from Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach
- Inspirational address from classical portrait artist Julio Reyes
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
- 9:45 a.m. – National and Regional Winners with Second Lady Usha Vance
- 11:35 a.m. – Elementary Division Winners with Keith Krach and Dr. Bill English
- 11:45 a.m. – Middle School Division Winners with Keith Krach and Dr. Bill English
- 11:55 a.m. – High School Division Winners with Keith Krach and Dr. Bill English
- 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Individual student portraits with artwork at the American Canvas Pavilion at the Great American State Fair
MEDIA RSVP:
Credentialed media interested in attending should contactrachelreisner@freedom250.org.
About the American Heroes Student Art Contest
The American Heroes Student Art Contest, which closed for submissions on June 1, invited students across the nation to explore and depict the individuals, events, and ideals that have shaped America’s history. Students were asked to choose one historical figure from the list of approximately 250 to be honored in the soon-coming National Garden of American Heroes and to create two-dimensional, original, handmade artworks and artist statements. Participants could choose to depict the historical American hero as a portrait, or the ideas, themes, places, symbols, or cultural practices associated with the individual. The contest encouraged students to integrate the influence of an American art movement or known artist as inspiration for their work. The artist statement essay questions asked students to reflect on why the historical figure matters to them and to the nation.
In the first round of judging, a panel of nine artists, art historians, and arts educators served as judges to review and score over 1,000 entries based on a rubric rating system, determining state and territory winners in each age category. In the second round of judging, a panel of Freedom 250 and NEH judges determined fifteen regional winners. In the final round, a small panel of distinguished judges, including Second Lady Usha Vance, will determine the national winners. State and territory winners and one parent or guardian will receive a trip to Washington, DC, July 7-9, and will be honored in a Student Art Exhibition at the Great American State Fair and at an Awards Ceremony. The contest is part of the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and encourages young Americans to engage with the nation’s past through artistic expression and historical reflection.
About Freedom 250
Freedom 250 is the national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of our Nation's 250th birthday. Working together with the White House Task Force 250, federal agencies, and the Commission, Freedom 250 serves as the official public-private partnership that connects, aligns, and amplifies national and local efforts to deliver the defining presidential moments and signature events of this anniversary year.
For more information or to join the movement, visit Freedom250.org.
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