Balloon Museum Launches Student Art Contest for Route 66 Centennial Exhibition
Up to 50 youth artworks to be featured in new exhibit
The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum invites K-12 students across the metro area to help bring the magic of hot air balloons to life as part of a special youth art exhibition celebrating the Route 66 Centennial.
Opening in June 2026, the museum’s Route 66 exhibit will feature a striking black-and-white mural created by a local artist, with vibrant hot air balloons soaring above. To shape this colorful sky, the museum is calling for original student artwork depicting hot air balloons in full color. Up to 50 submissions will be selected, enlarged, and printed as part of the exhibit, which will remain on view for approximately one year.
The deadline to submit artwork is February 20, 2026.
Winning artists will be announced in March 2026. Selected students and their families will be invited to a special opening reception at the Balloon Museum to celebrate their work and contributions to this citywide centennial moment.
Full contest rules, submission guidelines, required permission forms, and optional design templates are available in both English and Español on the Balloon Museum’s News and Announcements page at cabq.gov/balloon or directly at www.cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/news-and-announcements/route-66-exhibit.