Youth Aviation Art Contest
Every day, Nebraska’s aviators connect people, transport cargo, and support lifesaving medical missions using airplanes, helicopters, gliders, hot air balloons, and even drones. The 2027 Nebraska Aviation Art Contest challenges you to capture those missions and journeys. From the Sandhills to the Omaha skyline, what are the most “Nebraskan” ways to be in the sky? Grab your colored pencils, markers, and paints to show us how aviation keeps the Cornhusker State on the go!
Contest Rules & How To Submit
Eligibility
Ages 6-9 (Junior): Born between Jan 1, 2017 - Dec 31, 2020
Ages 10-13 (Intermediate): Born between Jan 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2016
Ages 14-17 (Senior): Born between Jan 1, 2009 - Dec 31, 2012
Format & Representation
- Artwork must be 11 x 17 inches (Ledger/Tabloid).
- No frames or borders.
- Must clearly represent the contest theme.
Permitted Mediums
- Acrylic, oil, or watercolor paint
- Indelible markers or felt-tip pens
- Ballpoint pens and ink
- Crayola or similar permanent mediums
Not permitted:
- Pencil, charcoal, or non-permanent mediums
- Computer-generated artwork
- Photocopied collage work
Markings
A certificate of authenticity must be attached to the back and include:
- Artist’s first name
- Birth year
- Parent/teacher contact info (including email)
Title
Optional, but must relate to the contest theme.
Reproduction Rights
Submitted artwork becomes the property of the State of Nebraska and may be used for promotional purposes. Artwork may be returned at the request of the State of Nebraska.
Mail Artwork To:
NDOT Division of Aeronautics
Mark Langrud, Educational Outreach Coordinator
1400 Nebraska Parkway
Lincoln, NE 68502
If you share on social media, please tag us @NebraskaDOT on Facebook, X, and Instagram!
Previous Nebraska Winners
Nebraska is proud to have had three national winners and one international winner.
Aeronautics in the Classroom
Sponsored by NDOT’s Aeronautics Division since it began in 1986, the U.S. and International Youth Aviation Art contest introduces young artists to the world of aviation and sparks interest in STEM careers.
Explore Nebraska Aviation: Aviation has been part of Nebraska life for over a century. Nebraska is home to 78 public-use airports, each playing a vital role in the state’s economy and communities. These airports connect people, support local businesses, and provide critical services such as medical flights and emergency response. Many airports host community events, air shows, and STEM programs designed to inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals, and Nebraska’s Aviation Hall of Fame celebrates those who have made a lasting impact on the state’s aviation history.
Aerodynamics & Flight (STEM): Explore how air moves around wings to create lift. Students can show airflow, lift, or propulsion in their drawings to make their aircraft realistic.
Engineering & Problem-Solving (STEM): Have students design an aircraft, drone, or balloon that could deliver medicine, blood, or emergency supplies — then illustrate their ideas.
Math & Measurement (STEM): Students can calculate distances, delivery times, or cargo capacity and include those numbers in their artwork or diagrams.
Art, Creativity & Storytelling: Encourage students to tell a story through their art — for example, a life-saving mission from takeoff to delivery — combining imagination with STEM concepts, or to depict dramatic rescues, imaginative aircraft, or futuristic flying machines.
Technology & Innovation: Introduce real-life aviation tools like drones, helicopters, or air ambulances to spark ideas for futuristic, life-saving inventions.
Careers in Aviation & Aerospace: Discuss careers such as pilots, engineers, air ambulance staff, and drone operators to connect the contest to real-world opportunities.
Resources to explore aviation and flight:
Youth Aviation Art Contest Prizes
AGE GROUPS:
Junior (6–9), Intermediate (10–13), Senior (14–17)
Winners receive cash prizes (1st) $350, (2nd) $250, (3rd) $150; trophies sponsored by the Nebraska Aviation Council; and postcards featuring their artwork to share with family and friends.
