2026 Art in the Union contest now accepting submissions
All UCLA students are encouraged to submit original artwork for the chance to win a $600 cash prize and have their piece featured in campus Student Union buildings.
Los Angeles, Calif., April 20, 2026 – Calling all Bruins: the 2026 Art in the Union contest is now accepting submissions of original artwork! Enter by April 26 for the chance to win a $600 cash prize and the opportunity to have your artwork featured in Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) Student Union buildings around campus.
The contest is open to UCLA undergraduates and graduate students of any major. Participants may submit original paintings, drawings, textiles, photography and graphic illustrations. Please note that pottery, sculptures and submissions with food or electronic components will not be accepted.
“This contest is an opportunity for UCLA students to demonstrate their creativity and leave a long-lasting artistic mark on UCLA’s campus,” said Pamela Lewis, ASUCLA Student Union services director. “We look forward to seeing all of the 2026 submissions.”
The annual Art in the Union contest has been held since 1972 and selects up to three winners. Today, over 65 pieces of student artwork are featured in ASUCLA facilities, including Ackerman Union, Kerckhoff Hall, North Campus Student Center and LuValle Commons.
The 2025 contest honored the creativity of three winners: second-year bioengineering student Madeleine Tsoi, “Out of Storage”; first year statistics and data science student Michelle Lin, “Resilience in Bloom”; and first year film student Diane Park, “Bearing Multi-Tasks.”
All accepted entries will be displayed in the Kerckhoff Hall Art Gallery from April 28 to May 8 for public viewing while the Art in the Union committee, which consists of ASUCLA executives, Board of Directors members and office members from the Undergraduate Students Association and Graduate Students Association, reviews the submissions. Winners will be notified on May 11, with a formal reception to follow.
For more information about Art in the Union, visit the webpage linked here. Stay up to date with Art in the Union deadlines, announcements and more by following @asucla on Instagram.
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About ASUCLA:
Founded in 1919, Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a nonprofit association that drives vitally essential student services and activities throughout the UCLA campus. ASUCLA boasts the largest college store in the U.S., an extensive food program, UCLA® brand licensing programming through UCLA Trademarks & Licensing, and other services and programs that include student government and student media, which significantly enhances the quality of UCLA’s campus life. For more information and to stay connected, follow @asucla on Instagram or visit asucla.ucla.edu.
