Design a Bookmark. Share Your Story. Be a Part of History.

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, the Office of the Second Lady of the United States, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), invites K–8 students nationwide to participate in the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th.

Students are asked to create an original, hand-drawn bookmark showing what America means to them. Ideas may include history or heritage, important people or moments, cultural traditions, hopes for the future, unity and democracy, community, creativity, or innovation.

Deadline: March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET

Who may enter? All K-8 Braintree Academy Students

How It Works

1. Download and read the Instructions and Guidelines

2. Print the template and create an original design using crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels, or similar materials.

3. A parent or guardian completes the NEA online submission form and uploads:

   • The finished bookmark design

   • The participant acknowledgement form

Submission Forms by Grade Level:

Grades K–2 submission form

Grades 3–5 submission form

Grades 6–8 submission form

Awards & Recognition

Three national winners will be selected, one from each grade group (K–2, 3–5, 6–8).

Winning designs will:

• Be featured on the NEA website

• Be printed and distributed at the Great American State Fair and other related events

• Include an invitation for the student and a parent or guardian to travel to Washington, DC to participate in a literacy event on a Great American State Fair stage

Please note, this contest is hosted by the Office of the Second Lady of the United States in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Braintree Academy Events team has no influence over the winning selection.

For questions about this contest, contact Kendra at virtual.events@braintreeed.com.