Student Art Contest

2026 THEME = My Roots, My Freedom:  Celebrating America250

CONTEST DETAILS

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) invites all students Grades 9 through 12 to create a piece of art that, if selected, will be showcased on the 2026 BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More. Both traditional and digital art will be accepted via online, mail, or in-person submissions.

THEME

This year, the United States of America celebrates its 250th anniversary! Help Ben Franklin Transit recognize our diverse country with artwork celebrating its history. The United States is a nation of immigrants who came seeking a better life, including religious freedom and unlimited opportunities. Its story is unique among world nations, and our diversity sets us apart.

BFT invites local high school students to showcase the diversity of our country. Themes your art could center on include:

• Diversity in people: our residents come from every corner of the globe and share different cultures, food, music, and languages
• Diversity in where people choose to live, from large cities to small towns
• Diversity in landscapes: plains, mountains, oceans, rolling hills, farmland, forests
• Diversity in the contributions Americans have made to the U.S. and the world

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

1. Obtain the 11” x 17” poster paper from either your art teacher or the Customer Service office at Three Rivers Transit CenterA facility where transit vehicles converge, enabling passengers to transfer among routes and services. Transit centers are generally located off the street and provide passengers with a shaded or enclosed waiting area, seats, drinking fountains, and transit information. More.
2. Create an original design based on the theme using a horizontal (landscape) layout.
3. Hand draw, color, or paint the poster. Computer-generated artwork scaled at 11” x 17” horizontal (landscape) at 600 dpi will be accepted—original artwork only!
4. Try using digital, felt-tip markers, colored pencils, tempera paints, color sticks, oils, bright watercolors, or chalk pastels since they show up well. Remember that your poster is going to be viewed from a distance, so make it CREATIVE, BOLD, and BRIGHT!
5. Turn in your finished product to your art teacher, upload it online, or drop it off at Customer Service at Three Rivers Transit CenterA facility where transit vehicles converge, enabling passengers to transfer among routes and services. Transit centers are generally located off the street and provide passengers with a shaded or enclosed waiting area, seats, drinking fountains, and transit information. More no later than Friday, March 27, 2026.
6. Submissions must follow guidelines, or they will be disqualified.
7. All submissions must include a completed Artist Release form. Include your full name, school, and contact information on your art submission.
8. Artwork should incorporate a clear nod to Ben Franklin Transit — using BFT colors, logo, or a busA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More design element.

Please Do Not:

• Put your name on the front of the poster, only on the back.
• Use the names of real sports teams, companies, stores, or restaurants, OR the titles of real books, movies, or TV shows on the poster.
• Draw real cartoons, comics, movies, or TV characters OR use any real logos, slogans, or advertised products; the only exception is the Ben Franklin Transit logo, of course!

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Students:

1st Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• iPad and Apple Pencil • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

2nd Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• $300 Amazon gift card • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

3rd Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• $200 Amazon gift card • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

Top 5 Traditional Art & Digital Art (Five from each category)

• Artwork featured inside the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More headrail display

Teachers:

1st Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $300 Amazon gift card for classroom use

2nd Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $200 Amazon gift card for classroom use

2nd Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $100 Amazon gift card for classroom use