FAQ
Registration |
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| How do I register my work? |
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Go to www.artandwriting.org and click "OPEN CALL" to access the Scholastic Awards Online Registration System. Here you'll find out the categories of art and writing, how to prepare your work, and your regional guidelines and deadlines. You'll have to know your school's ZIP code to determine your regional program.
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| What information will I need in order to register? |
Have the following information ready before registering:
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| How do I know which region I’m in? Where do I submit my work? |
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The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards has both a regional and national level. Students who win regional Gold Keys have those works automatically forwarded into the national judging. To find out in which region your school is located, go to the registration page.
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| What are the Art and Writing deadlines for my region? |
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Deadlines vary by region. You’ll find a deadline look-up tool on the registration page.
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| Who can participate in the Awards? |
Participation in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is open to students:
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| Can a student register their work without a teacher present? |
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Yes, students can login to the Online Registration System, create a profile, and upload work on their own, as long as they have their teacher’s full name and email. After the student obtains the submission forms from registration, a teacher or administrator must review and sign them.
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| Are teachers also required to register in the Online Registration System? |
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No, teachers do not have to register. Teachers who do register are able to view and monitor the registration and submission progress of every student in their school.
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| My school isn’t on the list. What do I do? |
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First, make sure that you have correctly typed your school name and try variations (omitting "The" at the beginning of the name, for example). If your school still doesn’t appear on the list, click on the yellow “REQUEST NEW SCHOOL” button at the bottom of the page. Carefully enter in your school information (make sure the information is accurate and the spelling is correct) and click the yellow “SUBMIT FOR REVIEW” button. We will contact you if there is any issue.
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| I’m still working on my submission. Should I wait to register until I have finished? |
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No, you should register as soon as possible, including the information about your work. You can always log back into the system at any time before your deadline and update the information. To change info, click “Manage Work” on the left sidebar and click "Edit Info" under actions.
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| I’ve registered, but I can’t remember my email or password. What do I do? |
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Click on the ‘Forgot your login information?’ link on the registration page.
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| Is an email address required for participation in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards? |
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Yes, a student email address is required to register for The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. If you don’t have an email address, create an account with one of the free email providers, such as www.gmail.com, www.yahoo.com, www.hotmail.com.
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| I produced my art/writing at an after-school or summer program. Should I enter the school I attend or the program where the work was made? |
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When you create your account, please enter your regular day school. Once you have created your profile, you will be able to add your after-school or summer program. In the “School Information” section, the first question will say: “Did you create the work that you are submitting in an otu of school program? If yes, click here." If the program does not appear, please click the yellow “REQUEST NEW OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM” button. Carefully enter your program information (make sure the information is accurate and the spelling is correct) and click the yellow “SUBMIT FOR REVIEW” button.
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| What does “Region-at-Large” mean? |
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The “Region-at-Large” refers to an area of the country that does not have a locally-based Regional Affiliate of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. It also includes Canada and U.S. schools abroad. Students located in an area that does not have a Regional Affiliate can submit to The Awards through the “Region-at-Large.” The Region-at-Large is administered by the Alliance’s national office in New York City. Students in the Region-at-Large can earn Gold Keys.
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| Can international students apply? |
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Yes, students, in Canada, a U.S. territory, or a U.S. school abroad, regardless of national citizenship, may submit work to The Awards. Foreign exchange students who are temporarily residing in the U.S. may also participate.
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| I’m currently not enrolled in a traditional high school. I’m in an alternative school or GED program. Am I still eligible to participate in the Awards? |
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Yes, as long as you are 21 and under and there is an instructor of record who can sign your submission form.
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Submission Process |
| Where do I find the submission forms? |
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You must first register online to obtain submission forms. Go to the registration page to register your work and obtain forms. Once you have created a profile and uploaded your work, the Online Registration System will produce submission forms that can be printed and signed.
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| Is there a specific theme students have to address? |
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There are NO specifications or restrictions on content and subject matter in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Students may approach any subject they choose and original, creative thinking is encouraged. There are two special themed based scholarships at the national level: The Creativity & Citizenship Award: Art for Social Change(works of art and writing that address contemporary social issues) and the New York Life Award (works of art and writing that deal with loss and bereavement).
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| Can I enter more than one work? |
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The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers encourages every eligible student in grades 7 – 12 to fully participate in The Awards. Some regional programs limit the number of student submissions in order to manage capacity. Please refer to your regional guidelines for more specific information.
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| Can I enter in more than one category? |
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Yes, you may submit different works in as many different categories as you want. However, do not submit the same work in multiple categories. Read the category descriptions and determine in which single category a particular piece belongs. Seniors can include works in both the portfolio categories and individual categories.
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| Can I submit to both art and writing? |
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Yes, you can submit to both art and writing. Art and writing deadlines are often different in each region of the country. Be sure to check your regional guidelines for art and writing deadlines.
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| What are the fees to enter? |
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$5.00 per individual submission and $20.00 per portfolio submission, unless stated differently in the regional guidelines.
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| Are there size limitations for the artwork? |
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Size limitations vary by region. Please refer to your regional guidelines for specific information. Work that exceeds the national size limitations may be excluded from the National Exhibition. National guidelines are as follows: 2-D artwork should not exceed 48 inches in any direction and the largest 2-D work eligible is 36” x 48”. 3-D artwork should not exceed 18” x 18” x 36” in dimension and should not exceed 30 pounds.
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| Are there word limits for writing? |
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Yes, there are different word limits for the different writing categories. Please click here for details.
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| What should I do if my family and I can’t afford the cost of entering? |
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Fee waivers are available to students who qualify under the Free and Reduced Lunch program or to students for whom fees are a barrier to participation. A teacher can submit a letter on school letterhead stating that the student qualifies for a fee waiver. The letter must be submitted with the submission forms instead of the check.
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| Do I have to obtain a teacher’s signature in order to participate in The Awards? |
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Yes, teachers or instructors are required to sign your submission forms. You must obtain a teacher’s signature for every work you submit to The Awards. You may get the signature of an adult familiar with you and your work, including a teacher, tutor, after-school instructor, program director, guidance counselor, department head, administrator, or principal.
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| I made the work on my own at home, without the guidance of a teacher. Do I still need to get a teacher’s signature on the forms? |
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Yes, even if the work was made on your own, we require the signature of an adult who can attest to the originality and authenticity of the work. Remember, the signature can come from any adult who is familiar with you and your work (see examples above).
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| If I created my work with two mediums, such as pencil & paint, is that considered mixed media? |
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No. Mixed Media consists of collage or assemblage where materials added together protrude from the 2-D plane. A work done with two different media should be classified by the dominant media. For example, a drawing with some painted elements should be submitted in the drawing category.
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| Can artwork or writing be named “UNTITLED”? |
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We recommend that you give all work a title.
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| How does the student choose which works to include in an Art, Photography, or Writing Portfolio submission? |
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Students should submit their best works that exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal vision or voice. National jurors are often looking at the consistency of the work across the portfolio and an emergent style that is unique, personal, and expressive.
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| Can a senior Art Portfolio be in a variety of media (e.g.: paintings, photographs, & video clips), and if so, how would that portfolio be classified? |
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Art Portfolios must include 8 different artworks in a wide variety of media (outlined in the 15 art categories). A portfolio of different media should be classified as an “Art Portfolio” and a portfolio that concentrates exclusively on photography must be classified as a “Photography Portfolio.”
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| Can a senior Writing Portfolio be in a variety of media (e.g.: poetry, short story, personal essay), and if so, how would that portfolio be classified? |
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A Writing Portfolio can include 3-8 different works in a wide variety of genres (outlined in the 10 writing categories).
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| Can I submit a portfolio and works outside of the portfolio? |
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Yes, you may submit individual entries in addition to the works of art or writing which are included in a senior portfolio. You can select the same works featured in your portfolio or different works for individual submission.
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| Can I re-submit a work that I submitted to the Scholastic Awards in a previous year? |
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Yes, you can re-submit art and/or writing from a previous year, but we strongly recommend that you make changes, adaptations, or revisions in order to improve the work. Senior portfolios may include previously submitted work(s). If your work earned a Regional or National Award, please DO NOT re-submit it in individual categories.
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| Can I submit a work if it has already been published or won a prize somewhere else? |
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Yes, as long as your work is free to use for future publication or exhibition. When you submit, The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers holds the rights to exhibit and publish your work for up to two years. Upon written request, we are willing to share these rights with other entities. If your work has previously been published, exhibited, or recognized by another awards programs or organization, confirm that they do not hold exclusive rights to your work. If you plan to submit your work to another entity, first review their rules and consent to confirm that they do not hold “exclusive” rights.
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| Can I submit a work that was turned in as a class assignment for a grade? |
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Yes, but keep in mind that judges are looking for work that is “original” and “goes beyond the classroom assignment.”
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| What is your plagiarism policy? |
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The Alliance’s plagiarism policy states:
“All work must be executed by the student, except in Photography where students are not required to develop, process or enlarge their photos themselves. By applying to The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, each student undertakes (a) to present an original work that (i) has been created by her or himself and (ii) does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any other individual or entity and (b) if such student’s work incorporates material, including but not limited to photographs, not created by the student, to include an additional copy of any and all such source material in her or his application.”
If students violate the policy, the student’s Award(s) will be revoked and all designations will be removed from any publications or places where they are displayed or mentioned. The Alliance will also revoke authorization or consent to display or distribute the work or any mention of the award designations relating to the work.
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| What should I do if I cannot get consent from the subject(s) in my photo/video? |
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A Photography and Film Consent Form is required for all recognizable person(s) pictured in photographs or videos. However, if you cannot contact the person(s) in the image, please use the space provided at the bottom of the form to explain the circumstances that prevent you from obtaining consent.
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| Can I go back into the Online Registration System after the deadline has passed to make changes to my registration or the work submitted? |
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No. After the deadline, students and teachers can no longer access submissions on the Online Registration System.
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Judging |
| Who are the judges? |
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Each region assembles a panel of jurors consisting of artists/writers, educators, and creative professionals who represent a diverse cross sampling of the community. The jurors possess an expertise in different practices, techniques, media, and genres and have a commitment to the integrity of the judging process.
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| What are the judging criteria? |
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The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards follow “blind adjudication,” meaning judging is determined on a merit basis with only the art object under review, without any knowledge to student identity (gender, race, background, etc.). Jurors are instructed to select artwork that excels in 1) Originality 2) Technical Skill & 3) Emergence of a personal vision or voice.
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| How many works are judged and given awards each year? |
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Each region determines the specific number of awards. Typically, approximately 10-15% of regional submissions receive regional recognition. Over 185,000 works were submitted to The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards at the regional level in 2011. About 15,000 works earned Silver Keys and over 10,000 works earned Gold Keys (8,000 for art and 2,500 for writing). Approximately 1,500 young artists & writers earn recognition at the national level, with about 350 students awarded Gold Medals for art and more than 200 for writing. Every year, a select group of 15 seniors (8 art / 7 writing) earn top honors as National Portfolio Gold winners.
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Notification |
| If my work does NOT win regionally or nationally, will I still be notified? |
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No, due to the large volume of work received, the Alliance and its Affiliates only notify students who have won an award.
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| How will I be notified if my work is selected for a National Medal? |
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National award winners receive an award notification packet mailed to the students’ home addresses. Portfolio Award recipients in art and writing are notified, with instructions on how to leverage scholarships from the Alliance Scholarship Provider Network. Other award recipients are notified during the 3rd week of March. Student notification packets include a final release form and information about the National Awards Celebration in May/June 2011. National Gold Award recipients MUST mail their artwork to the Alliance within one week of receiving notification. A selection of the National Silver Award artwork may be requested by the Alliance as well. This artwork should also be mailed to the Alliance within one week of email notification. In some areas of the country, the Regional Affiliate may mail the work on behalf of the student. Contact your Regional Affiliate for details.
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| When will the Alliance announce the winners of the video game category? |
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All video game submissions have a special deadline of January 28, 2012 and winners will be notified in April 2012.
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| When will the Alliance announce the winners of the novel writing category? |
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The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers has partnered with Scholastic Inc.'s PUSH imprint for the novel writing category. Novel writing has a special deadline of February 25, 2011 and winners will be notified in May 2012.
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Recognition |
| I won a Gold Key in Art. What happens to my work now? |
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In New York City, panels of nationally renowned artists, art professionals, and arts educators review Gold Key works from across the country. The artwork is judged in the digital format and your Regional Affiliate will forward a digital image of your work to the Alliance in New York. Jurors select work for national recognition based on three criteria, 1) Originality, 2) Technique, and 3) Emergence of a Personal Vision.
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| I won a Gold Key in Writing. What happens to my work now? |
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Panelists review Gold Key writing manuscripts in New York City, the best of which are forwarded to nationally renowned authors, poets, publishers, and other literary arts professionals. Jurors select work for national recognition based on three criteria, 1) Originality, 2) Technique, and 3) Emergence of a Personal Voice.
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| Are Silver Keys entered into the national competition? |
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No, only Gold Keys are forwarded to the national competition.
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| What do students receive if they earn a National Medal? |
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Students whose work merits a national award are recognized with certificates and medals and are considered for national exhibition and publication opportunities arranged by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
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Scholarships |
| Are students who earn Regional awards eligible to receive scholarships? |
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Yes, teens in grades 7-11 who earn a Gold Key and have demonstrated financial need may apply for additional opportunities through the ASAP (Alliance Summer Arts Program), sponsored by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Applicants in 7th grade are provided support to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke’s Young Scholars Award, a sustained scholarship program run by the Foundation. Please contact your Regional Affiliate to learn about local scholarships, grants, and gifts they may award.
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| Are students who earn National Medals eligible to receive scholarships? |
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Yes, fifteen graduating seniors receive the Portfolio Gold Award in Art Portfolio, Photography Portfolio and General Writing Portfolio categories, which carries with it a $10,000 scholarship. $1,000 Silver Portfolio Gold with Distinction scholarships are also given to select Award recipients, as determined by the national panel. Additional scholarships and awards are provided annually through sponsored categories. Seniors earning National Gold Medals in individual categories, Portfolio Silver Medals, and Portfolio Gold Medals in both art and writing are eligible for additional scholarship consideration at colleges and art institutes belonging to the Alliance Scholarship Provider Network. (To take advantage of additional scholarship opportunities provided by these colleges/universities, students need to have already applied and been accepted.) Visit www.artandwriting.org/Scholarships for more information about scholarships and awards.
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| How are portfolio scholarships assigned? |
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Portfolios are blindly adjudicated to approximately the top 1% and are then presented to a scholarship committee, which awards 45 portfolio scholarships – 15 for $10,000 and 30 for $1,000. The scholarship committee, consisting of Alliance staff, board members and national partners, considers a number of factors in selecting students, including: public, private, and home-schooled students; urban, suburban and rural schools; geography, gender and ethnicity.
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| Are there any special scholarship categories? |
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Yes! Please visit www.artandwriting.org/Scholarships for more information about scholarships and awards.
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| Is winning a regional award prestigious to colleges and universities? |
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Yes. Like any other achievement of this magnitude, many colleges take the Award into consideration when determining admissions and scholarships. Be sure to mention it on your application and on your resume.
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Exhibitions |
| If I win an award at the regional level, will my work be exhibited? |
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This depends on your Region and the level of your award. Every Regional Affiliate is required to organize an Awards Ceremony and Exhibition that features the art and/or writing of every Gold Key winner. Due to space and time limitations, not every Region’s Awards Ceremony and Exhibition includes Silver Key and Honorable Mention work. The Region-at-Large does not hold an exhibition of work that earns a Gold Key.
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| When will my artwork be returned after the regional exhibition? |
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Contact your Regional Affiliate regarding the return of artwork.
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| What happens at the National Celebration Events |
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All national award recipients (approximately 1,500 students) are invited to the National Celebration Events in New York City in May 2011. Last year, 800 students and their families attended. Over 200 teachers also attended and were honored. In 2011, the Awards Ceremony will take place at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, May 31. Teachers receive their own invitation. During the Celebration Events, all national award recipients will be invited to participate in a series of cultural and career workshops led by leaders in the creative industries. These workshops and their dates will be announced in the spring of 2011 once they are finalized. This year, national award-winning teachers will be able to bring two guests to the ceremony.
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| If I can't come to New York, does that mean I don't get my award? |
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If you do not attend the ceremony, your medal will be mailed to your home address in the summer.
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| Will the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers pay for my travel expenses to the National Awards Ceremony? |
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No, travel costs to attend the National Awards Events are the responsibility of the award recipients and their families.
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| If I earn a National Award, will my artwork be exhibited? |
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A selection of nationally awarded art and writing will be on display during the National Celebration events in New York City. Due to space limitations, we cannot guarantee that your work will be shown. In past years, the exhibition has included American Voices/Visions Medals, Portfolio Gold Medals and Gold Medal artwork and writing.
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| When will my artwork be returned if I am selected as a National Award recipient? |
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All award-winning artwork may be requested and held by the Alliance for up to two years for additional exhibition possibilities. This work will be returned to the student’s home address, so please notify the Alliance if you move.
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| Why do you hold National Award recipients' artwork for two years? When will my artwork be returned? If I am recognized with a Writing Award, does that mean I can't use that piece for two years? |
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The Alliance works to secure additional opportunities for exhibitions beyond the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Exhibition. For example, national award-winning work is exhibited in an annual traveling exhibition and at The U.S. Department of Education and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in Washington, DC. Artists will receive notification when their work is shown in these special exhibitions. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers holds the exclusive publishing rights to National Writing Awards recipients' work for two years, but during that time, you may continue to edit and rewrite, and you are free to submit to other programs that don't require publishing rights (e.g., college applications, writing portfolios, applications to summer/special arts programs).
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Publications |
| If I earn a National Award, will my work be published? |
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All work receiving National Gold Medals and American Voices/Visions Medals will be included in the Alliance’s online gallery and anthology at www.artandwriting.org. All work by national award recipients is considered for publication, but not all work can be included in the Alliance’s publications. Highlights of student artwork and writing from The Awards are featured in the Alliance’s National Catalog, Spark (grades 7 & 8), and The Best Teen Writing. Other publishing opportunities may become available throughout the year. Students are notified when their work is published and will receive a copy of the publication in which their work appears.
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General Info |
| What is the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers? |
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The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their remarkable work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Alliance provides recognition, exhibition and publication opportunities, and scholarships to further its mission of identifying, motivating and validating the next generation of artists and writers. Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 regional affiliates across the country to bring the program to local communities. Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 29 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published.
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| What does the Scholastic Award mean for me? |
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Established in 1923, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation's largest, longest-running, most prestigious visual and literary arts program recognizing accomplishments of students in grades 7 - 12. It is a symbol of excellence that can bolster resumes, college applications, and scholarship applications. All National Award recipients earn a place on the National Recipient list. Selected works will be featured in the National Catalog and The Best Teen Writing anthology. Most importantly, winning a Scholastic Art & Writing Award offers the opportunity for scholarships. At the regional level, award-winning seniors have access to more than $3.5 million in scholarships from local institutions. At the national level, $10,000 scholarships are given to 15 graduating seniors who earn Portfolio Gold Medals, a select number of Portfolio Silver Medalists will earn $1,000 Notable Achievement Awards, and seniors who earn Portfolio Gold Medals or Portfolio Silver Medals can leverage partial to full-ride scholarships from a network of 60 arts universities and institutes, which annually earmark $3.9 million in financial aid.
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| What are “Regional Affiliates”? |
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The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented in local communities by the Regional Affiliates-- a dedicated network of 107 organizations across the country. Affiliates support teachers, students and parents when submitting work; organize local judging by professional artists and writers; recognize students at public ceremonies; and showcase Award-winning work through exhibitions, publications and readings. Affiliates also submit the top award-winning work to the Alliance for national judging. However, if your school is in an area of the country not covered by the Regional Affiliate Network, then you are in the “Region-at-Large” and submit your work to the Alliance in New York (please see Region-at-Large answer for more info).
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| I saw a piece of student work that I'd like to buy. Can you send me the student's contact information or contact them on my behalf? |
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The Alliance does not participate in the sale of student works, nor are we able to give out student contact information.
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