2026 AIR FORCE
ART & PHOTO CONTEST
THEME: JOY UNFILTERED
Capture the moment. Skip the filter. Share your joy.
Service members, their families and eligible civilians are invited to capture the candid, spontaneous and beautifully real moments that make life meaningful. Show us your interpretation of Joy Unfiltered through art or photography.
October 1–31, 2026
CREATE. CAPTURE. WIN.
Put Your Creativity in the Spotlight
Enter original 2D art, 3D art or photography inspired by this year’s theme, Joy Unfiltered. Categories are available for adults and youth, giving artists and photographers of different ages a chance to share their creativity.
WHAT DOES "JOY UNFILTERED" MEAN?
Forget perfect. Show us real.
Joy isn’t always a perfect smile or a picture-perfect moment. It can be an uncontrollable laugh, the relief of coming home, the messy aftermath of a celebration, a victory dance after reaching a goal or a quiet moment of contentment when no one is watching.
“Joy Unfiltered” challenges you to look beyond the polished and staged and capture joy in its most authentic form—raw, spontaneous, imperfect and beautifully real.
FOR THE ARTIST
Translate the feeling of joy into something visual. Paint it, draw it, sculpt it or interpret it through your own creative style.
FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Look for the in-between moments—the candid expressions, shared glances and spontaneous celebrations that happen before anyone has time to pose.
YOUR CREATIVITY COULD WIN BIG
Prizes will be awarded to the top three eligible winners in each sub-category.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Authorized patrons of Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs are eligible to participate. Whether you’re developing your skills or have years of experience, you don’t have to be a professional to enter.
“Joy Unfiltered” challenges you to look beyond the polished and staged and capture joy in its most authentic form—raw, spontaneous, imperfect and beautifully real.
| Category | Age Groups |
|---|---|
| 2D Art | Ages 6–8 • 9–12 • 13–17 • Adult 18+ |
| 3D Art | Ages 6–8 • 9–12 • 13–17 • Adult 18+ |
| Photography | Ages 9–12 • 13–17 • Adult 18+ |
HOW TO ENTER
Create Your Entry
Create an original piece of art or photography inspired by “Joy Unfiltered.” Submitted work must have been created between January 1 and October 31, 2026.
Prepare Your Submission
Submit a high-quality JPG/JPEG or PNG at 300 dpi. Every entry must have a title and include a caption telling the story of the image and how it was created.
Submit Online
Visit the official contest site, register or sign in, click Start Entry, select 2026 Art & Photo Contest, complete the required information and submit your entry.
Entries close Oct. 31, 2026 at noon CST.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
Make sure your work meets all of the requirements.
✓ Is your original work
✓ Was created between Jan. 1–Oct. 31, 2026
✓ Reflects the “Joy Unfiltered” theme
✓ Is saved as a JPG/JPEG or PNG at 300 dpi
✓ Includes a title and caption
✓ Has not previously won another contest
✓ Does not use generative AI, stock images or pre-made templates
Participants may submit up to two entries per category. Be sure to review the complete rules and eligibility requirements before entering.