Sponsored Content

Get creative with the Thank a Teacher Art Contest

K–12 students can honor their teachers with original artwork, win prizes, and have their designs featured on statewide thank-you notes.

Sponsored by
MULTI_VALottery_ThankaTeacher_DEC2025

Thank a Teacher started in 2016 with one goal: to thank as many K-12 public school teachers in Virginia as possible during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

Photo provided by Virginia Lottery

It’s time to put pencil to paper for a great cause.

The Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room are launching the 9th annual Thank a Teacher Art Contest for K-12 public school students.

Students are invited to submit original artwork now through February 2, 2026. One student from each grade level — elementary, middle, and high school — will receive a $200 Visa gift card, and their school will earn a $2,000 credit from The Supply Room.

Winning art will be featured on thank-you notes distributed statewide during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2026. PTAs and school groups can preorder notes through March 27, 2026.

Psst... Take a look at last year’s top entries.

Since the campaign began, more than 700,000 thank-you notes have been sent, with participating teachers eligible to win $2,500 in supplies and $2,500 in cash.

All Virginia Lottery profits support K-12 public schools.

More from RICtoday
Whether you’re a novice or a pool shark, there’s a table for you in the River City
Rounding the corner on Repair Café RVA’s first anniversary, we chat with organizer Jenny Kobayashi Malone about community impact, milestone repairs, and future goals.
RICtoday readers shared which local restaurants and meals spark deep nostalgia — and we think you’ll agree.
Bookmark this page to your favorites tab so you can quickly return and find the top events happening each month in Richmond.
Learn how these two Brandcenter students catapulted from graduation to the Super Bowl, and get an early look at the ad they helped create.
“Big Scouse” will look into the living legacy of Terry O’Neill, the man who founded Penny Lane in downtown Richmond.
The Venerable Monks of the Dhammacetiya passed through Richmond for the Walk of Peace on Sunday, Feb. 1, and Monday, Feb. 2.
Whether you’re interested in local news, music, sports, or wellness, there’s a River City podcast for you.
Baseball fans and anyone curious about the new stadium have until Friday, Feb. 27, to enter a randomized ticket lottery for Opening Night at CarMax Park.
Take a brief tour through 1960s nostalgia.