The Division of Aviation within the North Carolina Department of Transportation is calling on young artists to showcase their creativity in the 2026 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest. Entries are due by January 16, 2026.
[Above image via NCDOT]
This year’s theme, “Fly to Save Lives,” challenges students to illustrate how aviation and air sports can help people in need, from delivering supplies to supporting rescue missions.
The annual competition is open to students statewide in three age categories: Junior, ages 6–9; Intermediate, ages 10–13; and Senior, ages 14–17. Cash prizes, provided by the North Carolina Airports Association, will be awarded to the top three students in each age group and their schools.

[Editor’s note: The National Association of State Aviation Officials, alongside seven other aviation groups, issued an updated national study in February detailing the robust contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy. The study determined that general aviation supports more than 1.3 million jobs and a total of $339.2 billion in total U.S. economic output. It builds on a similar joint report compiled and released with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in April 2023.]
The artwork of the three North Carolina winners in each age group will advance to the national competition, hosted by the National Association of State Aviation Officials. National winners then move on to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s global aviation art contest in Switzerland.
“We look forward to this contest every year,” said Nick Short, director of the NCDOT’s aviation division, in a statement. “It’s always inspiring to see the creativity of students and how they imagine the many ways aviation can make a difference.”
Other state departments of transportation are also issuing similar encouragements to students regarding this annual international aviation art contest, such as the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
“This contest will showcase how planes and helicopters help Nebraskans during emergencies, whether delivering food or medicine, fighting wildfires, or transporting injured people,” said Jeremy Borrell, director of Nebraska DOT’s Aeronautics Division, in a statement.
“Nebraska has had two winners at the national level and one at the international level in this art competition,” he added. “Let’s show the world once again that Nebraska has talent, creativity, and passion for flying,” he noted

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