Nature Quest Arts Contest: East Coast Adventures! Calling all youth ARTIST!

Explore your backyard, a local park, or other outdoor environments and tell your nature story by drawing, painting, photography, or poetry. Highlight plants, animals, and habitats that are all along the East Coast! The Eastern Coast of the United States offers a massive diversity of stunning natural environments, with Maryland being one of the few states where you can genuinely experience all four distinct seasons and a unique mid-Atlantic geography that packs diverse lands from rugged granite coastlines, ancient mountain ranges, and dense maritime forests. Explore the eastern coasts and share your views of these beautiful landscapes and native animals with the Nature Quest art contest!

Artwork Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026

Finalists must drop-off their artwork to a designated location (TBD) any day between November 30 - December 11, 9am-4pm. Location for artwork drop-off will be sent directly to winners and finalists.

Eligibility Requirements:

• This contest is open to Prince George's County residents that are 18 years old and under. No purchase is necessary.
• Entries must be inspired by nature.
• Content of the work must be original. Use of another artist’s work is not eligible.
• You may enter as many categories as you want!   

Awards

For the drawing/painting, photography, and poetry categories 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be chosen from each age group. 1st place is awarded $300, 2nd place is awarded $200, and 3rd place is awarded $100

*Drawings & Paintings are all in the same category. Elementary School: K - Grade 5 Middle School: Grades 6 – 8 High School: Grades 9 - 12

Important Dates & Deadlines:

Submissions Open: July 1 – November 1, 2026 

Artwork Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026 

Winners & Finalists Announced: November 23, 2026 

Artwork Drop-off: November 30 - December 11, 2026 

Opening Reception Date: Friday, January 8, 2027 6:30-8:30pm  

Exhibit Open from January 8 – 21, 2027 

Questions? If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Shaiday Dancy (Shaiday.dancy@pgparks.com)

The 2027 Nature Quest Art Contest is a program of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division.