This year, ARTEFFECT received a record-breaking number of submissions from students around the world, with the 2026 finalist pool growing 15% over 2025. Thank you to all the students and educators who participated.

The 201 finalist projects were created by 52 middle school students and 149 high school students representing 32 U.S. states and 15 countries. The selected works span a wide range of styles and media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art.

Through their projects, these students creatively interpreted the stories of 89 Unsung Heroes, including all 10 Spotlight Unsung Heroes. We invite you to explore the artwork and read excerpts from the students’ impact statements.

Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists for their exceptional work, and thank you to the educators, families, and communities whose support made these achievements possible.

In the coming weeks, join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the 2026 Finalists. The 2026 ARTEFFECT Annual Competition award recipients will be announced on June 1. Stay tuned!