The Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum has announced a student art contest in advance of its upcoming Route 66 Centennial Exhibition. The contest is open to K-12 students from the Albuquerque metro area, who are invited to submit original artwork depicting hot air balloons in full color.
The exhibition, set to open in June 2026, will feature a black-and-white mural by a local artist as its centerpiece. Selected student artworks—up to 50 pieces—will be enlarged and printed to create a colorful sky above the mural. The display will remain at the museum for about one year.
Students interested in participating must submit their entries by February 20, 2026. Winners will be announced in March 2026. Those selected and their families will be invited to a special opening reception at the Balloon Museum.
“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.”
The City of Albuquerque has long played a role as a cultural center through venues such as the KiMo Theatre, which has hosted community gatherings and supported artistic expression for decades (https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/kimo/history-of-the-kimo). The city maintains historic sites like this theater, known for its Pueblo Deco architecture (https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/kimo/history-of-the-kimo), and works with organizations including the State of New Mexico on preservation efforts (https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/albuquerque-museum/casa-san-ysidro).
Albuquerque’s municipal government oversees cultural heritage initiatives across its nine districts (https://www.cabq.gov/council/council-history) and has seen significant development since its founding in 1706 (https://www.cabq.gov/railyards/rail-yards-history). The city functions as a hub for community development while supporting events that highlight local history and creativity.
