The 2016 Congressional Art Competition has started.

The annual competition encourages high school students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic abilities.

Any legal resident of the Ninth Congressional District of Indiana may submit artwork to the district offices of Rep. Todd Young, R-Bloomington.

The competition was started in 1982 so members of Congress could recognize and encourage the artistic talents of their young constituents. All entries will be displayed at the Jeffersonville office for three weeks and showcased on the district website throughout the year.

Entries in photography and non-photography categories will be scored by a panel of professional artists from the district.

One will be chosen to represent the district and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year as part of an exhibition showcasing outstanding artwork from across the country. The winner also will receive a pair of round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C., for a reception in June honoring all winners.

The runner-up will have her or his artwork displayed in the Jeffersonville office for a year.

Additionally, a social media runner-up will be selected on Young’s Facebook page at facebook.com/RepToddYoung. The artist whose work receives the most “likes” will receive recognition from Young. Their work will be displayed in the Bloomington office for one year. Young also has an office in Greenwood.

Information: toddyoung.house.gov/congressional-art-competition