XO Student Design Challenge
Public voting is now closed. Thank you to all those who voted and the student finalists who participated in the Third Annual Sphere XO Student Design Challenge! Winners will be announced on March 11, 2026. Check back here to see the winning designs.
View all finalists’ submissions below.
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.