Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a prestigious program in the United States that recognizes and celebrates creative excellence among middle and high school students. It is administered by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and has been in existence since 1923, making it one of the longest-running and most esteemed programs of its kind.

By Brad Nakase, Attorney

Email  |  Call (888) 600-8654

Have a quick question? I answered nearly 1500 FAQs.

Table of Contents
1. Purpose
2. Eligibility
3. Submission Categories
4. Awards and Recognition
5. Exhibitions and Publications
6. Educational Opportunities
7. Why Participate?
8. Art Categories
9. Writing Categories
10. Additional Requirements and Guidelines

Purpose

  • The Awards aim to identify and honor young artists and writers with exceptional creative talents.
  • They provide a platform for students to gain recognition for their work at local, regional, and national levels.

Eligibility

  • Open to students in grades 7–12 in the United States, U.S. territories, and American schools abroad.
  • Participants must be 13 years of age or older to submit.

Submission Categories

  • The program offers opportunities in a variety of categories across art (e.g., painting, sculpture, photography) and writing (e.g., poetry, short story, dramatic script).
  • It also includes portfolio categories for high school seniors.

Awards and Recognition

  • Submissions are first evaluated at the regional level through local affiliates.
  • Top regional works receive Gold Keys, Silver Keys, or Honorable Mentions and can advance to the national level.
  • National awards include Gold Medals, Silver Medals, and special awards like the American Visions and American Voices Medals.
  • Scholarships and cash prizes are often available for recipients.

Exhibitions and Publications

  • National award-winning works are often showcased in exhibitions or featured in publications.
  • Selected works may be displayed at venues like the Art.Write.Now. National Exhibition in New York City.

Educational Opportunities

  • Students gain access to workshops, networking opportunities, and feedback from experts in the creative industry.
  • Teachers and schools of recognized students are also celebrated for fostering creativity.

Why Participate?

  • Provides a platform for creative students to gain recognition and validation for their talents.
  • Offers scholarships and financial support for higher education.
  • Helps build a portfolio for college applications or professional development.
  • Connects participants to a broader community of young artists and writers.

Art Categories

  1. Architecture: Original designs for buildings or other structures.
  2. Ceramics & Glass: Sculptures or works primarily made of ceramic or glass materials.
  3. Comic Art: Sequential art that tells a story or expresses an idea.
  4. Design: Functional designs like fashion, product, or graphic design projects.
  5. Digital Art: Artwork created or manipulated using digital tools or software.
  6. Drawing & Illustration: Traditional or mixed-media drawings and illustrations.
  7. Editorial Cartoon: Single-frame or multi-frame cartoons commenting on societal issues.
  8. Fashion: Original clothing or accessory designs.
  9. Film & Animation: Short films, animations, or video projects.
  10. Jewelry: Handcrafted pieces of wearable art.
  11. Mixed Media: Works combining multiple art mediums (e.g., collage, assemblage).
  12. Painting: Works using traditional painting mediums like acrylic, oil, or watercolor.
  13. Photography: Original photographic images captured and composed by the artist.
  14. Printmaking: Art made through traditional printmaking methods (e.g., etching, lithography).
  15. Sculpture: Three-dimensional works made from materials like clay, metal, or wood.

Writing Categories

  1. Critical Essay: Analytical essays that explore literary, cultural, or political topics.
  2. Dramatic Script: Screenplays, stage plays, or other written scripts for performance.
  3. Flash Fiction: Extremely brief stories, typically under 1,000 words.
  4. Humor: Writing that explores humorous themes or uses comedic techniques.
  5. Journalism: Nonfiction articles exploring factual topics, often with a news angle.
  6. Novel Writing: Excerpts or full submissions of long-form fictional works.
  7. Personal Essay & Memoir: Nonfiction works exploring personal experiences.
  8. Poetry: Collections of original poetry.
  9. Science Fiction & Fantasy: Fiction set in imaginative worlds, often speculative in nature.
  10. Short Story: Fictional narratives typically under 10,000 words.
  11. Writing Portfolio: A collection of up to eight works demonstrating a range of styles and ideas (for seniors only).

Additional Requirements and Guidelines

  • Each submission must be original and created by the student.
  • Collaborative submissions are allowed in select categories, such as Film & Animation.
  • Students may submit multiple works in various categories but must adhere to specific guidelines for each type.
  • The works must be submitted digitally through the Scholastic platform for initial review.

Have a quick question? We answered nearly 2000 FAQs.

See all blogs: Business | Corporate | Employment Law

Most recent blogs:

28 Highest Paying Self-Employed Jobs

28 Highest Paying Self-Employed Jobs

See 28 high-paying self-employed jobs spanning writing, bookkeeping, design, consulting, real estate, childcare, fitness, delivery, and more. Find each role’s qualifications, skills, tools, and work duties to help compare self-employment options that fit different strengths.
How to Verify an EIN Number

How to Verify an EIN Number

Verify an EIN number using IRS, SEC, state databases, credit bureaus, and search tools to confirm legitimate business information. EIN verification supports KYB checks, tax reporting, fraud prevention, and safer business relationships across the United States.
How to Form a Corporation in California

How to Form a Corporation in California

Form a California corporation with steps covering business names, registered agents, incorporation documents, bylaws, stock, licenses, taxes, and EINs. Review filing requirements, annual obligations, professional corporations, foreign businesses, online filing options, and the benefits of incorporating in California.
What Makes a Verbal Contract Valid Key Requirements

What Makes a Verbal Contract Valid? Key Requirements

A valid verbal contract requires an offer, acceptance, and consideration, subject to California contract law and the Statute of Frauds. Evidence, witness testimony, conduct, and written communications may help establish whether a verbal agreement is legally enforceable.
Prepaid Business Credit Cards Pros and Cons

Prepaid Business Credit Cards: Pros and Cons

Prepaid business cards can help control company spending, restrict employee expenses, and provide access without a credit check. Compare their fees, funding limits, benefits, drawbacks, protections, and differences from credit, debit, and charge cards.
Steps for Planning a Business Grand Opening

8 Steps for Planning a Business Grand Opening

Plan a successful business grand opening with practical steps for budgeting, promotion, insurance, event flow, food, and entertainment. Build local excitement, attract potential customers, coordinate vendors, and create a memorable launch without exhausting your marketing budget.
California EIN Number – Who What When Where Why & How

California EIN Number: Who What When Where Why & How?

A California EIN identifies your business for federal taxes and supports banking, hiring, payroll, and other essential business activities. Find out who needs an EIN, when to apply, application methods, processing times, costs, and state tax ID differences.
How do I get a DBA in California

How to get a DBA in California? California DBA Explained

Get a DBA in California by checking name availability, filing an FBN statement, and completing your county's publication requirement. Review filing costs, renewal rules, cancellation steps, and key differences between a DBA and forming an LLC or corporation.
How To Start A Food Truck Business

How To Start A Food Truck Business: Tips and Ideas

Start a food truck business in California with practical guidance on planning, financing, permits, equipment, locations, and daily operations. Review menu pricing, branding, insurance, delivery services, marketing strategies, and compliance requirements for building a profitable mobile food venture.
How to Transfer Business Ownership

How to Transfer Business Ownership?

Transfer business ownership through sales, gifts, leases, or share changes while addressing legal, tax, valuation, and debt considerations. Follow practical steps for sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations to support a smooth ownership transition.
SBA CAPLines - Business Credit Lines

SBA CAPLines: Business Credit Lines

SBA CAPLines offer short-term credit for small businesses with seasonal, contract, construction, or working capital needs. These SBA-backed lines can align repayment with cash flow, inventory, receivables, and project-based revenue cycles.
Business Partnership Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Business Partnership

See the advantages and disadvantages of a business partnership, including taxes, liability, profit sharing, privacy, and growth limits. Compare partnership types, partner duties, common risks, and agreement terms before choosing this business structure.
Characteristics of an Entrepreneur Mindset

What are the Qualities of an Entrepreneur Mindset?

An entrepreneurial mindset combines creativity, optimism, persistence, resourcefulness, and persuasive communication. These qualities help entrepreneurs spot opportunities, solve problems, build trust, and make stronger business decisions.
What is invoice reconciliation

What is Invoice Reconciliation? Definition & Process

Invoice reconciliation matches invoices with purchase orders, goods receipts, and payments to improve accounts payable accuracy and control. It covers the process, common failures, and automation steps that reduce exceptions, delays, errors, and manual work.
What Happens When Business Partners Disagree

What Happens When Business Partners Disagree?

Business partner disagreements can affect operations, finances, and ownership rights. Options may include negotiation, mediation, buyouts, litigation, dissolution, bankruptcy, or court action.
What Makes An Effective Advertisement

What Makes An Effective Advertisement?

Create stronger advertising campaigns with tips for brand names, referrals, media choices, signage, flyers, and print ads. Credibility, consistency, professional design, and honest messaging can help businesses attract buyers and increase sales.
Bank Statement Business Loans

Business Loans Based on Bank Statements

Funding based on bank statements can help self-employed borrowers and small businesses qualify through cash flow instead of tax returns. This option shows how lenders review deposits, expenses, loan types, benefits, risks, and approval requirements.
Starting a Bar Business- How to Open a Bar

Starting a Bar Business: How to Open a Bar

Open a California bar with steps for planning, licensing, permits, staffing, supplies, location, and POS setup. Review business licenses, occupancy certificates, food handler cards, seller permits, liquor licenses, costs, and application timelines.
Biggest Business Startup Costs

16 Biggest Business Startup Costs with Examples

Startup costs include equipment, rent, payroll, insurance, taxes, marketing, and software for new business owners. Review examples and budgeting steps that help founders estimate expenses before launching a company.
What does filing a UCC mean

What Does Filing a UCC Mean?

A UCC filing can affect business assets, loan collateral, liens, and lender rights in secured financing. This article explains UCC-1 forms, lien perfection, renewals, terminations, and how filings impact business credit.
How to start a business in California

How to Start a Business in California

Start a California business with steps for structure, filings, licenses, taxes, insurance, banking, trademarks, and online setup. This article covers state rules, required documents, tax duties, and ways to reduce personal financial risk.
Responsibility of a Trustee

Responsibility of a Trustee in Trust Management

Trustees manage trust assets, protect beneficiaries, keep records, pay bills, file taxes, and follow the trust document. Review trustee duties during incapacity, death, asset distribution, compensation, and resignation.
What is a demand letter for payment

What is a Demand Letter for Payment?

A demand letter for payment asks someone to resolve an unpaid debt before legal action begins. It states the claim, amount owed, deadline, and possible next steps if payment is not made.
Why Do Companies Incorporate in Delaware

Why Do Companies Incorporate in Delaware?

Why companies incorporate in Delaware often comes down to tax benefits, investor confidence, corporate courts, and privacy rules. This article covers the main costs, drawbacks, filing steps, and business factors tied to Delaware incorporation.
Businesses You Can Start with Less Than $1,000

Businesses You Can Start with Less Than $1,000

Start a business under $1,000 with low-cost ideas, startup expenses, and simple ways to test demand. Review 67 small business ideas covering services, online work, local ventures, creative projects, and home-based options.

Contact our attorney.

Please tell us your story:

2 + 2 = ?

69