School Art Program

For more than 50 years, the School Art Program has challenged students and schools to think outside the box. The program provides students, Pre-K through 12th grade, the opportunity to compete in district shows, earn scholarships, travel to summer workshops and display artwork in the Hayloft Gallery during the Rodeo. Schools also have a chance to receive a Super Show award for their outstanding participation. Currently, the School Art Program supports 142 different school districts, including private and parochial schools, in the Houston area. Last year, the Rodeo received more than 200,000 entries, making the total more than 9.4 million entries recorded since 1965.

Contests

The School Art and Quick Draw contests are for students at participating schools in the School Art Program. The Hospital Art Contest is for young patients at Houston area hospitals.

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Workshops

Workshops at the Glassel School of Art at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Western Art Academy at Schreiner University are available to students in the Rodeo's School Art Program. These hands-on experiences are a great opportunity!

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Scholarships

Each year, 15 graduating high school students receive four-year $20,000 college scholarships to pursue a degree in a subject of their choice at a Texas college or university. 



APplications

School Participation

Invitations to participate in the School Art Program are extended on an annual basis at the sole discretion of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™. Participation is limited to schools in approved public independent school districts and approved private schools. Each summer, the School Art Committee evaluates each returning school district and private school on its support of the program and evaluates new applicants based on the application criteria and the program's space availability for the coming year.

There is typically a waiting list to join the program; however, school districts and private schools are added whenever possible. Interested school districts and private schools must submit a New School Application.

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School Art Auction

Based upon placing, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ establishes a guaranteed minimum payment for each exhibitor who qualifies for a junior market auction. The Rodeo also sets a cap amount above the guaranteed minimum for each auction lot. When bidding exceeds the cap amount, the additional funds go into the Rodeo’s Educational Fund to be used for scholarship and grant recipients. Amounts bid between the guaranteed minimum and the cap are accumulated in the bonus pool, and are used to cover any lots that did not bring the guaranteed amount, as well as auction expenses and auction committees’ operations.

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2019 School Art Auction Champion Buyers


Grand Champion

Grand Champion Art
  • Exhibitor: Hector Maldonado, 18
  • Hometown: Pasadena, Texas
  • School District: Pasadena ISD
  • Art: colored drawing, “After the Storm Comes a Calm”
  • Price: $240,000 (Rodeo record)
  • Buyers: Mary and Ken Hucherson, Kristina and Paul Somerville, Jennifer and Joe Van Matre, and Lynda and Jim Winne
  • Rodeo Record: $240,000 (2019)

Reserve Champion

Reserve Grand Champion Art
  • Exhibitor: Melissa Sosa, 17
  • Hometown: Pasadena, Texas
  • School District: Pasadena ISD
  • Art: painting, “Wouldn’t Change a Thing”
  • Price: $180,000
  • Buyers: Terry and Dr. Joe Agris, Sharon and George Buschardt, Cheryl and Gary Deitcher, and Rene and Taylor Whitaker
  • Rodeo Record: $221,000 (2017)

2019 WORKS OF ART

See talented works of art from students who participated in the School Art Contest. The artwork is divided into seven categories: colored drawing, mixed media, monochromatic, painting, 3D, elementary and junior high.