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 approximately 130 different school districts, including private and parochial schools, in the Houston area. Each year, the Rodeo receives thousands of entries from talented young Texans.

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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2023 School Art Auction Champion Donors


Grand Champion

School Art Auction - Grand Champion

  • Exhibitor: Mia Huckman
  • School District: Lamar CISD
  • Art: painting, "Our Last Roundup”
  • Price: $275,000 (Rodeo Record)
  • Donors: J Alan Kent Development - Julie & Alan Kent, Shelly & Jerome Mulanax, Kristina & Paul Somerville, and Jennifer, Joe & Bob Van Matre
  • Rodeo Record: $275,000 (2023)

Reserve Grand Champion

School Art Auction - Reserve Grand Champion

  • Exhibitor: Eliza Hoffman
  • School District: Clear Creek ISD
  • Art: painting, “Morning Dove”
  • Price: $185,000
  • Donors: Randa & Ray Gilliam, Mary & Ken Hucherson, Cheryl & Gary Deitcher, and Andrea & Scott Fish
  • Rodeo Record: $265,000 (2022)

2023 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.