50 Years of Metro: Our Earth, Our Ride, Our Future

Call for K-6 Grade Student Artwork for Earth Day

Submission Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026 by 11:59 PM ET

In honor of Earth Day (April 22) and the upcoming 50th anniversary of Metro, the Metro’s Office of Community Engagement is inviting kindergarten - 6th grade students from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia to submit 2D handmade artworks that highlight the vital role Metro plays in promoting clean air while fostering creativity and community engagement.

The selected artworks will be featured on bus wraps as part of Metro’s celebration of Earth Day.

This project will showcase youth talent, inspire environmental consciousness, and highlight Metro's commitment to protecting the planet.

You can learn more about the Metro Art in Transit Program here.

Submission Process

Application Requirements: Submit an original artwork created entirely by the entrant as well as a brief statement describing the artwork and the inspiration.

Number of Artwork: Each applicant may enter one (1) piece of artwork.

Art Categories: The artwork must be handmade and 2D in one of the following formats: drawing, print, collage, or painting. Use of AI in any form (i.e. written or pictorial) is prohibited.

Dimensions of Artwork: The artwork must measure 8.5" high x 11" wide (landscape).

Submittal Process: Submit a high-quality photograph of the original artwork in JPG or PNG format. To facilitate the review process, please ensure that only the artwork shows in the photo (no frames or extraneous backgrounds).

Submit student artwork directly to Metro
Submissions can be sent to community@wmata.com.

Each submission must include:

• Student Name
• Grade
• School/Community Organizations
• Title of Artwork
• Student Statement
• Signed Release Form from the Student’s Guardian (download fillable PDF here)

Eligibility Criteria

• This call is open to K-6 artists located in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
• Participants may attend public, charter, or private schools, as well as homeschools.
• Submitted artwork must be original and cannot have been previously exhibited.
• By submitting an artwork, parents and/or guardians agree that the artwork can be reproduced for the purpose of this call, and any associated promotional material, including social media.
• Parents and/or guardians of the student whose work will be selected will be required to execute a written release authorizing WMATA to use the selected artwork and the student’s name.
• There is no entry fee for this call.

Submission deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

Selection

An Art Selection Committee, with Metro’s Art in Transit program, will select a total of three (3) artworks, one (1) from each of the jurisdictions (Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia).

Metro staff will coordinate a pickup schedule for the selected student artworks to be scanned to the best high resolution possible. The artworks will be returned to the students.

Celebrating the Student Artists

Students whose artwork have been selected will be invited to celebrate a special Earth Day reception at Metro’s Headquarters at L’Enfant on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Additional information will be shared closer to the date.

Past Earth Day Celebrations

You can view past selected student artworks here.

Stay Connected

Join the conversation online using #MetroEarthDay. Photos and highlights will be shared on Metro’s social media channels and website during and after the event. For questions, email us at community@wmata.com.