ooh ART

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, in partnership with DSW Signs, is excited to invite your students to participate in the 2026 OOH ART! Billboard Competition—a regional favorite with a new creative twist.

Many across Southeast Missouri have seen our billboards featuring student artwork. This year, in order to include more students and teachers, we’re transforming the project into a micro-literary challenge, blending visual design with the power of words.

The Challenge

Students in grades 9–12 are invited to create an original billboard design built around no more than 21 words. The goal is to convey a clear, compelling message—bold, poetic, funny, moving, or thought-provoking.

Design Guidelines

• Maximum of 21 words

• Students may choose their own font

• Imagery is allowed, but the wording must be the primary focus

• If no imagery is used, font must be white on a solid-color background for legibility. 

• Artwork must follow a 2:1 width-to-height ratio (standard billboard format).

How It Works

• All submitted entries will compete in a March-Madness–style social media bracket, where the public helps vote designs down to the Final Four

• The Final Four designs will be displayed on digital billboards across Southeast Missouri

• The winning entry will be produced as a full printed billboard prominently displayed in the heart of Cape Girardeau

This project is a great fit for classes focused on creative writing, visual storytelling, typography, theater, design, and media literacy—and it gives students a rare opportunity to see their work shared on a truly public stage.

We would love for your students to be part of this regional celebration of creativity and voice.

If you would like to submit your student’s work, please use the following form: https://2026oohart.paperform.co/. Teachers with more than 3 student submissions can submit more than one form. Submissions are due February 27th, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Voting begins Monday, March 9th, at 12:00 pm.

Thank you for inspiring the next generation of artists, writers, and storytellers. We hope you’ll join us!