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Olympics of the Visual Arts
NYSATA annually hosts a student creative problem-solving contest for teams across all 10 regions. Member art teachers serve as team advisors for student teams of 2 or more from elementary, middle or high school levels. Each team develops a long-term design solution in one of eight categories and also participates in an on-demand design challenge at the live event. Teams present a portfolio along with their entry to showcase the research, planning and process that led to the final design. This friendly and spirited competition among students across the state is a wonderful way for students to interact with other student artists and together celebrate creativity.
OVA relies heavily on our generous members and community volunteers who serve as planners, on site coordinators, and category judges. Please reach out to learn more and discover the excitement that is OVA.
The 2026 Olympics of the Visual Arts will take place in person at the Saratoga City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY on April 30.
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We are excited for the 44th Olympics of the Visual Arts event this April. This year our design challenges are all related to the theme Natural Connections and are inspired by the American Museum of Natural History's newest architectural marvel, the Richard GIlder Center for Science, Education and Innovation in NYC. Our OVA theme embraces STEAM and invites students to explore the intersections of nature, form, science and imagination.
Links to Explore:
American Museum of Natural History
Richard Gilder Center
The Olympics of the Visual Arts design categories and titles are:
Drawing—Patterns of Life
Painting—Canyon of Light
Illustration—Moonlight Magic
Sculpture—Insects Inside
Fashion—Aquatic Threads
Architecture—Biomorphic Spaces
Photography—Shifting Perspective
Design—Natural Setting
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026
Design Solution Slide Deadline: April 23, 2026
OVA Event: April 30, 2026
Below you will find resources to help support your participation in the Olympics of the Visual Arts event. Please reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions about how to be involved.
Special thanks to Blick Art Materials for their partial sponsorship of this year's OVA event.
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| 2025 Awards |
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| 2025 All Entries |
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| OVA Registration and Documents |
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School District Registration Fees for 2025
1 team—$150
2-5 teams—$200
6-10 teams—$250
11+ teams—$300
One advisor (Primary Contact) will register for each School District. The primary contact will register all the teacher advisors and student teams. The primary contact will need to pass all communications to all other advisors in the district.
To register, you'll need the first and last name, email address, and school building for each teacher advisor, as well as the team category and grade level.
ALL TEAM ADVISORS MUST BE ACTIVE NYSATA MEMBERS.
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Register Your District’s Teams*
COMING SOON!
*Teams are limited to one team per grade level per category per district
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026
Design Solution Slide Deadline: April 23, 2026
OVA Event: April 30, 2026
Important Documents
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| Before You Arrive |
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Please download and complete ALL of the following prior to arrrival at the Saratoga City Center site.
Documents Coming soon.
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| Submit Your Design Solution |
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Submit your design solution on a Google Slide using the provided Google Slide template. Coming in the Spring.
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| Volunteers Needed! |
- Coordinate volunteers
- Select, order and sell OVA swag/merchandise
- Judge categories onsite
- Assist with problem-writing
- Photograph/document/video the event
- Managing onsite registration and check-in
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Volunteer here or contact [email protected]
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