Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Students’ entries are blindly adjudicated by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts. Many Scholastic Awards alumni have lent their expertise as jurors, including Michael Bierut, Philip Pearlstein, Edward Sorel, Red Grooms, and Gary Panter. Other luminaries who have served as judges include Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Judy Blume, Billy Collins,  Paul Giamatti, Francine Prose, Edwidge Danticat, David Sedaris, Lesley Stahl, Nikki Giovanni, Roz Chast, Wangechi Mutu, Andres Serrano, Kiki Smith, Jill Kraus, Shinique Smith, Rashid Johnson, and Waris Ahluwalia.  

Jurors look for works that exemplify the Awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of personal voice or vision. 

Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 28 categories of art and writing. We celebrate students locally and nationally, with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. All entries are considered for Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, American Visions Nominee, and American Voices Nominee Awards. These are presented to students along with celebration ceremonies and exhibitions in each region. 

1. Entry fees are $7 per individual entry and $25 per portfolio. If the entry fee is a barrier to your participation in the Awards, we will waive the fee when you submit a Fee Waiver Form.

• 1. Create your account
  1. Both students and educators can create an account on our online registration system. This is where you’ll find your school and enter your work.
• 2. Upload your best work
  1. Don’t forget to edit your work now and seek feedback from educators, family, and friends. 
• • 3. Send in your Entry Form with your entry fee or a fee waiver
    1. Entry fees are $7 per individual entry and $25 per portfolio. If the entry fee is a barrier to your participation in the Awards, we will waive the fee when you submit a Fee Waiver Form.

  Entries for the 2021 Scholastic Awards open on September 1, 2020. Deadlines vary between December 2020 and January 2021, depending on your region. Curious about your region’s deadline?