What makes a world extraordinary? What does an ordinary object look like in an extraordinary world?
Submissions are now open for Extra/Ordinary: A Showcase of Chicago Public Schools’ Student Art. In partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago’s Teen Council and the CPS Arts Student Voice Committee, this exhibition of student art will highlight 3-D artwork by CPS students in grades Pre-K–12 from any CPS school (including district-managed, charter, contract, and options schools). Selected artworks will be exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago.
To submit, complete this application before 5 p.m. CST on Friday, January 16, 2026. Selected artworks will be featured on the Art Institute’s website and displayed in the museum’s Ryan Learning Center.
For more information, see our guidelines.
Submit Today
Selection Process
Notification of acceptance to the exhibition will be announced toward the end of February 2026, and celebrated with a reception on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
Selected artworks will be on display in the Ryan Learning Center’s Art Exchange beginning March 5, 2026. Additional artworks will be showcased on the Art Institute website.
All artworks will need to be dropped off and picked up at the Ryan Learning Center in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. Drop-off and pick-up schedules are noted below.
key datesSubmission Window for All Students, Pre-K–12
Monday, October 27, 2025–Friday, January 16, 2026
Submissions close at 5 p.m. CST
See the contest guidelines for more information on your submission.
Notification of Acceptance
Week of February 9, 2026
Artwork Drop-Off Windows*
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 11:00–5:00
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11:00–5:00
Exhibition Dates
March 5–June 5, 2026
The Art Institute of Chicago
Ryan Learning Center
Open Wednesdays–Mondays, 11:00–3:00
Exhibition Celebration
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Artwork Pick-Up Windows*
Saturday, June 6, 2026, 11:00–5:00
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 11:00–5:00
* Selected artworks must be dropped off and picked up at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Ryan Learning Center.
If you have any questions please email [email protected] or [email protected].