XO Student Design Challenge
The Third Annual Sphere XO Student Design Challenge is an ongoing collaboration between Sphere, the Clark County School District (CCSD) and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) that gives more than 100,000 local students the opportunity to have their work displayed on the Exosphere – the world’s largest LED screen.
Eight student artists will be selected as winners, with four winners chosen by a public vote and four winners selected by a panel of judges including UON Visuals, a renowned artist who has designed art for the Exosphere.
This year’s design theme celebrates Pi Day, and the winning art will debut on the Exosphere on March 11, 2026.
There are 4 student groups you can vote for; elementary, middle school, high school, and college.
You can only pick a winner from each of the 4 student groups.
Finally, submit your vote and share a bit more about yourself.
Winners Selection
Eight students – two each from elementary school, middle school, high school and UNLV – will have the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on the Exosphere. Four of the winners will be chosen by a public, worldwide vote; and four of the winners will be chosen by a panel of judges.
Prizes
In addition to having their work displayed on the Exosphere, winning high school and college students will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship from Sphere. Winning elementary and middle school students will earn a $10,000 donation from Sphere for their school’s art program to further art education in public schools, along with tickets for the entire school to attend The Wizard of Oz at Sphere.
Year 1 Winners
The inaugural XO Student Design Challenge was themed around the 4th of July, which also marked the one-year anniversary of the first illumination of the Exosphere.
Year 2 Winners
The Second Annual XO Student Design Challenge was themed around Earth Day to encourage students to think creatively about the intersection of art, technology, and planet Earth.