The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Winners across multiple categories are eligible to receive awards, scholarships, cash awards, tuition assistance as well as be featured in exhibitions and publications.
Entries are region-specific according to where participants live. Entrants can choose from 28 broad categories of art and writing which include, for example, drawing and illustration, film and animation, mixed media, journalism, novel writing, and poetry, and numerous subcategories in each.
Jurors look for works that exemplify the Awards’ core values: originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Location(s)
Schedule
- Fall and Winter
Cost/Compensation
- $10 entry fee per individual entry (not per person)
- $30 entry fee per portfolio
Eligibility Requirements
- Entries are open to candidates from across the country but entries are region-specific so participants must enter the Awards for the region in which they live.
- Participants must be 13 years or older.
Deadline
- December and January (specific deadlines depend on an entrant’s region which can be determined via the website)
Application or Entry Requirements
- Registration is required (starting in September)
- Requirements vary depending on the category and region which can be searched for here.
Notifications of Decisions
- Regional Awards are announced: January
- National Awards are announced: March
Financial Aid Details
- A fee waiver will be considered when a Fee Waiver Form is submitted.
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
- Registration opens: September
- National Ceremony: June
Have other questions?
The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers is a nonprofit organization founded in 1923 whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and present their work to the world. The alliance strives to give students of all backgrounds opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships by offering a variety of programs and initiatives to support young artists and writers, including summer workshops, online resources, and mentorship opportunities. The alliance’s flagship program, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, recognizes outstanding work by students in grades 7-12 in a variety of categories, including poetry, fiction, journalism, and photography. Many alumni of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have gone on to have successful careers in the arts and beyond, including Andy Warhol, Robert Redford, Cy Twombly, Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates, and Stephen King.
