Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) invites students to showcase how they are taking action for our planet in the Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest. This contest celebrates the real, climate‑friendly steps young people are taking and how those actions benefit our environment and community. It connects directly to the Sustain Fairfax Challenge, an online platform where residents track and share their climate actions.

Participants will fall into one of three categories, grades 4-6, grades 7-8, and grades 9-12.  Students can submit original artwork, including designs, photographs, or drawings, to inspire residents to complete climate actions in our community. 

The winning artwork will be used on OEEC’s marketing and promotional materials and may be shared in places such as on social media, websites, in email, and on in-person platforms (i.e. flyers, posters, giveaways, etc.).  

Students can submit original artwork reflecting the theme: “My Actions, Our Climate.” Posters should be submitted digitally or mailed to the OEEC office by May 15 at 4 p.m. Winners will be notified in May or early June 2026.

• Theme: “My Action, Our Climate” – submissions shall note completed climate action(s) and the impacts of the actions (environmental, monetary, energy savings, etc.) as noted on the Sustain Fairfax Challenge platform.
• Eligibility: Students residing and attending school in Fairfax County, including private, parochial and homeschool students
• Categories: grades 4-6, grades 7-8, grades 9-12
• Prizes: $25 gift card and certificate of recognition for winners in each category. There may be one honorable mention selection picked from any of the categories that will receive the same prize.
• Submission Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026, by 4 p.m. 

Let your creativity shine and show how your actions make a difference—submit your artwork and help inspire climate action across Fairfax County.

For more information about the contest, including submission guidelines and entry requirements, go to Sustain Fairfax Earth Month Youth Art Contest.  Please contact OEEC Staff at 703-324-7136, TTY 711 or email OEECInfo@fairfaxcounty.gov for assistance. 

Enter Art Contest