October 13, 2025:
While 2026 contest categories and guidelines will be substantially the same as 2025, contest organizers are drafting a policy regarding the use of A.I. (artificial intelligence) in student submissions. While the exact policy will be published soon with the contest guidelines, 2026 entrants may expect these general rules to be added:
Use of A.I.in Art: Submitted artwork must be the creative expression of the student. Art wholly generated by A.I. is not a creative expression of the student. Students may include A.I.-generated images as an element in their own creative expressions, or may use generative A.I. in the creative process. However, any submission that utilizes A.I. in any capacity must include, in the artist statement, a complete description of:
how A.I. was used;
a description of what portion of the submission was generated by A.I.; and
a copy of any prompt(s) used.
Judges will be instructed to account for any use of A.I. when scoring.
Use of A.I. in Writing: Submitted writing must be the creative expression of the student. Writing generated by A.I. is not a creative expression of the student. Students may not submit writing substantively generated by A.I. Students may submit their own writing technically reviewed by an A.I.-powered tool such as Grammarly. However, any submission that utilizes A.I. in any capacity must include, in the artist statement, a complete description of:
how A.I. was used;
a description of what portion of the submission was edited by A.I.; and
a copy of any prompt(s) used.
Judges will be instructed to account for any use of A.I. when scoring.
Note: these policies do not replace teachers’ own policies on the use of A.I. in their class assignments.
These general rules are subject to revision at any time. Please consult the Contest Guidelines for the most current information.