ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
The contest theme is conserving water and keeping our water clean. Artwork must depict positive ways Texans can conserve water or prevent water pollution, including 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 and may 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 and execute the <Contest Entry Form and Agreement>. The completed Contest Entry Form and Agreement must be attached to the back of the entry with tape or a clear glue stick. Nothing except the entry form may be attached to the back. Entries that do not have the Contest Entry Form and Agreement attached will not be considered.
Collages, computer-generated artwork, photography, or photocopies will not be accepted.
Artwork must be two-dimensional, using any of the following: watercolor, acrylic or oil paints, colored pencils, colored markers, ink, charcoal, pastels, or crayons.
Designs must not include company logos, product brands, or store names.
Designs must not be framed or mounted.
Designs must not be folded or damaged.
Students may choose to sign their artwork; however, the winner’s name will be printed next to his or her design if it wins, so signing is not necessary.
TCEQ owns all submitted artwork. Winners and their parents or guardians agree to the use of the winners’ names and likenesses to promote the Take Care of Texas program and future art contests. Entries will not be returned. See Contest Entry Form and Agreement for further details.
No obligation or liability is assumed by TCEQ in connection with the contest.
ARTWORK SUBMISSION
Entries are accepted beginning January 6, 2026. Participating students must submit their artwork on or before Thursday, March 5, 2026. Late entries will not be accepted. There are two options for submitting entries:
- Artwork (with Contest Entry Form and Agreement attached) can be sent through the U.S. mail postmarked on or before Thursday, March 5, 2026 to:
Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest, MC 118
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
OR
- Artwork can be scanned and uploaded using the Digital Entry Form by 11:59pm on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Do not submit entries through both methods. Either select mail or digital upload only.
ELIGIBILITY
All Texas students in grades K-5—whether from public, charter, or private schools or homeschooled—are eligible to participate. Applicants must be current residents of Texas, must be enrolled in grades K-5 as of March 2026, and 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.
EVALUATING ENTRIES
Entries will be judged based on creativity/uniqueness, the inclusion of the “Take Care of Texas” phrase and message, interpretation of the theme, overall visual appeal, composition, and age appropriateness.
There will be three rounds of judging.
In the first round, Take Care of Texas staff will review and qualify all submitted entries selecting the top entries from each category.
In the second round, TCEQ staff will select their favorite entries from each category. The top two entries from each category will go on to the final round.
In the final round of judging, commissioners and executive staff from TCEQ and representatives from Texas Chemistry Council will select the Grand Prize and Runner Up for each category.
All judgments are final.
PRIZES
Six winners will be selected, and Texas Chemistry Council will provide the prizes.
One Grand Prize Winner and one Runner Up will be named for each category: K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, and 4th-5th grade.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
- Three Grand Prize Winners (one from each category) will be awarded a laptop.
- Three Runners Up (one from each category) will receive an iPad.
- One lucky teacher will be chosen at random to receive an iPad or a gift card of equal value.
Winners will be announced in April 2026, and prizes will be distributed in June 2026.
TCEQ Commissioners and representatives from Texas Chemistry Council will recognize the three Grand Prize Winners at the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Banquet in June 2026.
All winning designs will be showcased on the Take Care of Texas website, on social media, and in media announcements.
If you have questions, contact us at [email protected].
