Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - Alliance for Young Artists & Writers

 

Categories

Art CategoriesWriting Categories
Architecture & Industrial DesignCritical Essay
Ceramics & GlassFlash Fiction
Comic ArtJournalism
Conceptual, Installation & Participatory ArtNovel
Digital Painting, Drawing & CollagePersonal Essay & Memoir
DrawingPoetry
Editorial CartoonScreenplays & Scripts
Experimental PhotographyShort Story
FashionSpeculative Fiction
Film & AnimationWriting Portfolio (graduating seniors only)
Graphic Design
Illustration
Jewelry
Mixed Media
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Sculpture
Art Portfolio (graduating seniors only)

Art Categories

Instructions for All Art Categories

Works might fit more than one category description. However, a work may only be entered into a single category. Please use your best judgment when determining where to enter a work. We recommend reviewing the descriptions below and viewing the Online Gallery. These resources will help in your choice.

The various art categories have different upload requirements. Review each specific category listing for complete details.

For 2D works, show your plans in detail. You may choose to include concept drawings, sketches, material palettes, sections, elevations, site plans, and renderings in your image selection.

For 3D works, which often ask for multiple images, include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background. For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the back of the work.

We also recommend taking in-progress photos of entries. While these are not required, they may be requested if an entry is flagged for potential plagiarism or AI violations. For more information, refer to the Participation Terms.

Effective for the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards:

  • The Drawing & Illustration category has been split into two separate categories.
  • Expanded Projects has been renamed Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art.
  • A new category, Experimental Photography, has been added.
  • The Digital Art category has been renamed Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage.

Submission of traditional arts and crafts (practices tied to a distinct cultural heritage) are welcome in any whatever category they best fit, including, but not limited to, Fashion, Jewelry, and Sculpture.

Regional programs may limit the size of work that they accept for display at regional exhibitions. Check your region’s guidelines for details.

Works that earn National Medals are not guaranteed for display in the National Exhibition.

Collaborative works are not allowed in any art categories. To credit contributors on Conceptual, Installation, & Participatory Art and Film & Animation entries, follow the instructions for those categories. 

Architecture & Industrial Design

Category Description

This category includes industrial design plans for models of structures, environments, systems, or products.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Building designs, landscape designs, interior designs, urban plans, or product designs. Can include 2D work such as hand-drawn sketches, computer-aided designs, blueprints, and floor plans, OR 3D work such as handmade or 3D-printed scale models, conceptual models, sketch models, or prototypes. 

Special Instructions

Plans may be hand-drawn or computer-generated. Models must be sturdy and able to endure shipping and exhibition. 

Works that depict or stage scenes (dioramas) using prefabricated materials should be entered into the Sculpture category.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to four images of your piece. We strongly encourage you to upload a variety of images that showcase the scale and details of your work, i.e., include pictures from different angles.

For 2D works, show your plans in detail. You may choose to include concept drawings, sketches, material palettes, sections, elevations, site plans, and renderings in your image selection.

For 3D works, include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background.

For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the back of the work.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Additional Instructions

If you enter 2D work (a design as opposed to a model), select “0” for the “Depth” and “Weight” fields. 

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Ceramics & Glass

Category Description

Handcrafted objects made from ceramics or glass. Anything made exclusively out of ceramics and/or glass belongs in this category.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Busts, figures, abstract forms, vases, teapots, bowls, plates, cups, tiles, tableware, or other vessels. Ceramic pieces may include earthenware, stoneware, porcelain, etc. Glass pieces may include stained glass, cast glass, fused glass, blown glass, etc. 

Special Instructions

Unfired ceramics and oil-based clay works should not be entered.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to four images of your piece. We strongly encourage you to upload a variety of images that showcase the scale and details of your work, i.e., include pictures from different angles.

Include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background.

For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the back of the work.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Comic Art

Category Description

A pictorial narrative in deliberate sequence—with or without text—that tells a story or develops an idea using single or multiple panels. Concepts for characters should be entered in Illustration. 

Examples (including but not limited to)

Comic strips, comic books, storyboards, webcomics, or selections from graphic novels.

Special Instructions

Do not base characters and plots on already published comic books or published series. 

There are no requirements regarding how many panels can be included in one image. Use your best judgment when determining the layout—pay attention to how easy it is to read the text (if there is any) in your comic.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to eight images for each Comic Art entry.  

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art

Previously known as Expanded Projects

Category Description

Interdisciplinary work that encompasses three different art forms: conceptual, installation, and participatory art. This category may include the documentation of live art, installation, research-based practices, or interactive visual art. It does not include dance, music, theater, or spoken word poetry.

Original work in this category will explore new genres, ideas, or experimental methods that could not be represented in other categories. The evaluation of skill may include both the way the work is documented and the conceptual background of the work in addition to the work’s construction. 

Examples (including but not limited to)

Documentation of live art, experimental video art, installation, site-specific or research-driven processes, conceptual art, social discourse, or community projects.

Special Instructions

Individual three-dimensional works that do not create an environment or are not built at room scale should be entered in the Sculpture category.

Murals should be entered into the Painting category.

Entry Requirements 

You must upload 1-8 files that clearly present the work: .pdf, .jpg, .png, .mp3, or .mp4.

One of these files must be a PDF of a written statement that summarizes and contextualizes the work. This statement must not include your name or biographical information because it will be viewed by the judges.

The file size limit for each upload is 350 MB. If you are having trouble uploading a video file, please visit Frequently Asked Questions.

Acknowledge contributors in the work sources section of your entry.

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Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage

Previously known as Digital Art

Category Description

Artwork created digitally and intended to exist in a digital space or images that are heavily collaged or manipulated from found image(s) (i.e., not photographs taken by the student) to produce a new image using digital tools.

This category is meant for drawings, paintings, and collages created using exclusively digital tools; other works created with digital tools may fit better in a different category, including, but not limited to, Comic Art, Illustration, or Graphic Design.

Manipulated images that are derived from a photo or photos taken by the student should be entered into the Experimental Photography category.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Digital collages, CGI, VR, and digital painting.

Special Instructions

Identify the software used to create the artwork in the “List Materials” section of your application (ex: Adobe Suite programs, Sketchbook, Procreate, Corel PaintShop, Clip Studio Paint, Blender, etc.). 

Digital artwork may contain text, but entries that contain text for commercial purposes should be entered in the Graphic Design category. 

Consider entering the Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art category if your work has a strong interactive element. 

If you are using collaged images, refer to the Copyright & Plagiarism guide.

Digital image uploaded must be at least 300 dpi.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload one image for each Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Drawing

Category split from Drawing & Illustration

Category Description

Art that is composed of marks made with dry materials on a 2D surface. Drawings include all renderings made by a manual or mechanical instrument on a surface and may include formal, realistic, and/or abstract imagery. Ink drawings that are not illustrations can be entered into this category, including those with paint, such as watercolors.

In contrast to illustrations, drawing works prioritize the exercise and exploration of skill, technique, and the specific used medium (pencil, ink, charcoal, etc.).

We recommend reviewing the guidelines for Illustration entries, which focus on entries that convey specific information or narratives.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, crayon, scratchboard, marker, ink drawings colored with paint, etc. 

Special Instructions

Drawings copied from published photographs, the internet, or existing works should not be entered and will be disqualified. Refer to the Copyright & Plagiarism guide for more detailed information. 

Sequential illustrations depicting an evolving story should be entered in Comic Art

Common classroom assignments that focus on recreating other artworks, such as the Mona Lisa, do not fit our originality criteria and should not be entered.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload one image for each Drawing entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Editorial Cartoon sponsored by The Herb Block Foundation

Category Description

A drawing or illustration, series of artworks, or animated film that offers commentary or criticism on current events or political topics. 

About Herb Block

This category is sponsored by The Herb Block Foundation in honor of Mr. Block’s remarkable contribution to the genre of political cartoons. Visit herbblockfoundation.org to learn more and see examples of his work.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Single panel drawings with captions, sequential comic art, illustrations, digitally created drawings, or animated films with a political theme or message.

Special Instructions

Multi-panel cartoons or other narrative illustrations that do not contain commentary or criticism of a political event or current event should be entered in Comic Art.  

Illustrations that do not contain commentary or criticism of a political event or current event should be entered in Illustration depending on the tools used. 

Animations that do not contain commentary or criticism of a political event or current event should be entered in Film & Animation.

For animated films, refer to the Film & Animation category for special instructions.

List all reference images in the work sources section of your entry. Refer to the Copyright & Plagiarism guide for more detailed information

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to eight images or one .mp4 or .mov file for each Editorial Cartoon entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Experimental Photography

New category

Category Description

Images captured by either analog or digital camera that are then collaged, cloned, layered, merged, distorted, or heavily manipulated either physically or digitally. This category also includes images captured via experimental methods (including, but not limited to, cyanotype photographic images, pinhole camera, etc.)

Examples (including but not limited to)

Alteration of negatives to create a new image (burning, scratching, layering, collaging, etc.).

Creating layouts of juxtaposed multiple images, or that include text as part of the image.

Any alteration in Photoshop (or similar programs) that is outside simple adjustments in image tone, contrast, brightness, etc., should be entered to this category (i.e., warped images, dramatically colored images, images which contain cloned aspects or heavy use of filters, etc.).

Special Instructions

Images where the photograph is physically printed and cut-up and woven by the student should be entered in the Mixed Media category.

Identify the type of photographic techniques used in the “List Materials” section of your entry.

Entry Requirements

You can upload one image for each Experimental Photography entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Fashion

Category Description

Articles of clothing or fashion accessories other than jewelry (which should be entered in the Jewelry category). 

Examples (including but not limited to)

Sketches, tech packs, fully realized articles and outfits, jackets, dresses, shirts, gowns, scarves, hats, bags, belts, shoes, etc. as well as experimental designs, wearable art, and work made from found materials. 

Special Instructions

Garments not intended to be worn on the body should be submitted to the Sculpture category.

When using found materials, be mindful of copyrighted materials, like logos, that might appear in your work. Review our Copyright & Plagiarism Guidelines for more information.

Entry Requirements

You can upload up to four images of your design.

We strongly encourage you to upload a variety of images that showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Additional Instructions

If you enter a 2D work (a design as opposed to a model), select “0” for the “Depth” and “Weight” fields. 

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Film & Animation

Category Description

A sequence of moving images viewed with a monitor, television, or projector.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Documentary films, narrative films, commercials, experimental videos, as well as hand-drawn, computer-generated, or stop-motion animations, etc.

Special Instructions

Works are judged without knowledge of gender, age, or hometown. Do not include any credits in film entries.

Acknowledge contributors in the work sources section of your entry. Not all regions recognize multiple contributors in the same manner. Contact your regional affiliate for more information.  

Copyrighted Music

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers strongly encourages the use of original or public domain music. You cannot use copyrighted music in your work without the permission of the original artist. 

Teens who obtain copyrights to music must obtain documentation from the artist and reference it in the work sources section of your entry. 

If you use non-original music in your work, you must cite your source.

View our Copyright & Plagiarism guidelines for more information. 

Entry Requirements 

Your film must be in one of the following formats: .mp4 or .mov. 

You must enter the film synopsis in the Work Summary textbox. 

Your entry must be five minutes or shorter. The file size limit is 350 MB. Entries that are longer than 5 minutes will not be judged in their entirety.

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Work Type

Time-based Work (Minutes:Seconds)

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Graphic Design

Category Description

Art created for commercial or applied purposes. This includes graphic design work that has a defined use such as advertising or communications.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Magazine layouts, book covers, greeting cards, fonts, letterhead, business cards, calendars, or signage.

Special Instructions 

Work that is based off preexisting brands is discouraged. If your work references preexisting brands, your design must represent a new, original idea or contribute added value to the source material according to our Copyright & Plagiarism guidelines

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to four images of your piece. We strongly encourage you to upload a variety of images that showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.

View award-winning art

Additional Instructions

If you enter a 2D work, select “0” for the “Depth” and “Weight” fields.

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Illustration

Category split from Drawing & Illustration

Category Description

An image that conveys a piece of information or describes and informs about a specific scene, place, narrative or character. Illustrations can be created from a variety of mediums, including both mechanical and digital techniques.

In contrast to drawings, illustrations attempt to convey a story, often in a single frame. Illustration entries prioritize a message, often narrative or informational, over demonstrations of technical skill.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Picture book illustrations, concept art, magazine/publication illustrations, character studies.

Special Instructions

Illustrations that directly depict political or social commentary should be entered to the Editorial Cartoon category. 

Illustrations that are done in multiple frames, or panels, and depict a narrative over time should be entered to the Comic Art category.

Please use your best judgment when determining if a work should be entered as an Illustration or into another category such as Digital Painting, Drawing, & Collage, Drawing, or Painting.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload one image for each Illustration entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Jewelry

Category Description

Art objects worn for personal adornment.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Bracelets, rings, brooches, earrings, cufflinks, necklaces, etc.

Special Instructions

Please list all materials when entering your work. Materials may be handmade or purchased and include metal, semi-precious stones, plastic, beading, glass, found objects, etc. If you are using purchased materials, please indicate that in your materials (ex: “bead from craft store” vs “handmade clay bead”).

Entry Requirements 

You can upload up to four images of your jewelry. Showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.

Include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background.

For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the back of the work.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Mixed Media

Category Description

Artwork made from more than one medium, with a 3D or readymade element. These works should be wall-mounted and designed to hang in a similar fashion to a painting. This includes works made with physical and digital materials, found objects applied to 2D surfaces, and non-traditional found materials. 

Examples (including but not limited to)

Collage, assemblage, cut paper, handmade paper, batik, fiber-based art, etc. 

Special Instructions

Works that are three-dimensional and not meant to be mounted on a wall should be entered in the Sculpture category.

Mixed media pieces meant to be viewed in the round should be entered in the Sculpture category.

Combinations of painting and drawing applied only to one surface should be entered into either the Painting or Drawing categories. 

Entry Requirements 

Each entry requires four images of your Mixed Media piece. Showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.

Include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background.

For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the side of the work.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Additional Instructions

If your Mixed Media entry does not have a 3D element, select “0” for the “Depth” and “Weight” fields. 

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Painting

Category Description

Art created by applying wet materials to a 2D surface. This includes illustrations made with any type of paint. If you use more than two non-paint materials or if you create a collage, your work should be entered in Mixed Media. 

Examples (including but not limited to)

Oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, tempera, ink, encaustic, fresco, spray paint, etc. applied on canvas, canvas board, paper, or any flat surface. 

Special Instructions

Do not enter AI-generated art. 

Paintings copied from published photographs, the internet, or existing works should not be entered and will be disqualified. For more detailed information, check out the Copyright & Plagiarism guide

Entry Requirements 

You can upload one image for each Painting entry.

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Photography

Category Description

Images captured by either an analog or digital camera.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Black and white photographs, color photographs, digital or analog photographs, photograms, other experimental photography, etc.

Special Instructions

Do not enter AI-generated art.

Images where the photograph is physically printed and cut-up and woven by the student should be entered in the Mixed Media category.

Editing software (Adobe Suite programs, Procreate, Corel PaintShop, Clip Studio Paint, etc.) is acceptable to use for minor touch-ups and image correction, such as for adjustments in image tone, contrast, brightness, etc.

Works that are digitally collaged, cloned, layered, merged, distorted, or heavily manipulated with computer software (i.e., warped images, dramatically colored images, images that contain cloned aspects of heavy use of filters, etc.) must be entered in the Experimental Photography category.

Entering multiple similar images from the same series of photographs is highly discouraged.

Entry Requirements 

You can upload one image for each Photography entry. We recommend participants enter no more than 16 individual photo entries. 

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Printmaking

Category Description

Work made by transferring ink from one prepared surface (plate, screen, etc.) onto paper or another flat surface.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Woodcut/linocut, monotype, intaglio, lithography, etching, silkscreen printing, collagraph, Styrofoam printmaking, etc.

Special Instructions

Identify the printmaking technique used in the “List Materials” section of your entry.

Entry Requirement 

For each Printmaking entry, you can upload one image. 

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Work Type

2D Work (Height x Width)

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Sculpture

Category Description

Three-dimensional art objects created by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques that can have interactive qualities.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Modeled, carved, cast, constructed, or assembled objects, including artist books. Materials may include but are not limited to clay, cardboard, metal, acrylic, wood, glass, stone, marble, textiles, plastics, and found objects. 

Special Instructions

Large-scale installation art should be entered into the Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art category.

Anything made exclusively out of ceramics and/or glass belongs in the Ceramics & Glass category.

Entry Requirements

Each entry requires four images of your sculpture. Showcase the scale and details of your work and include pictures from different angles.

Include one image that shows the work from the front at a slight angle against a white or neutral-colored background.

For the remaining images, include one detail shot, an image with a ruler for scale, and an image from the back of the work.

Visit our blog for tips on documenting your work.

View award-winning art

Work Type

3D Work (Height x Width x Depth and Weight)

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Art Portfolio

(For Graduating Seniors Only)

Category Description

A series of 6 distinct works that communicate a single cohesive idea or visual investigation. If you have a strong work that is not part of a themed collection, please enter those works individually. Do not enter six unrelated works to the portfolio category. Works can come from one category or any combination of multiple categories.

Graduating seniors may enter up to two Art Portfolios, but may not enter the same work in both portfolios.

Special Instructions

Each work within the Art Portfolio is subject to the same upload rules as its equivalent in individual categories. For example, a Sculpture work as part of a portfolio requires four images, while a Photography work requires one image. 

We encourage work included in a portfolio to also be entered in an individual category (e.g., Drawing, Illustration, Mixed Media, etc.). Works entered individually are judged separate from portfolios—it’s possible for a work to win an individual award while a portfolio containing that same work is unawarded.

Seniors may re-enter artworks that were awarded or entered into the Scholastic Awards in a previous year as part of their Art Portfolio. 

Do not include any identifying information, such as your name, in the title of your portfolio or the works included in the entries. 

You must provide an Artist Statement and Personal Statement—these are two separate statements. Do not copy and paste the same statement for both!

AI-generated statements are not allowed. The goal of this statement is to hear from you, in your own words. We are not evaluating your writing ability. We are looking to understand your original thoughts about your work. We want to hear from you, in your own words! 

Artist Statement: Write about your art! This required statement should provide insight into your creative process: How did you curate the works in your portfolio? 

Consider questions like: 

  • What do you want viewers to understand about your collection of works? 
  • What are the key ideas, issues, struggles, or goals within the portfolio? 
  • What deliberate decisions did you make about materials, processes, etc.? 

Your artist statement should be at least 100 words must not exceed 500 words. The statement will be visible to jurors. Do not use self-identifying information in the statement. 

Personal Statement: Write about you! Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it. 

Consider questions like: 

  • What is a significant accomplishment or joyful experience that has shaped your life?
  • What is a significant challenge, setback, or failure that you experienced? How did you respond to it? How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? 
  • Tell us about how you developed a firmly held belief and how it has changed over time.
  • Have you ever had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs? 

Your personal statement should be at least 100 words and must not exceed 500 words. This statement will be viewed by the scholarship committee if your work advances and is considered for a national portfolio scholarship award.

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Writing Categories

Instructions for All Writing Categories

No identifying information, including the writer’s name, should appear anywhere on the manuscript, including areas such as a header or title page.

For real people in non-fiction works, use fictional names. You do not need to change the name of public or historical figures.

Entries should be primarily in English. You may include some words or phrases in other languages. Note: Not all judges speak a second language, so you may want to consider including a translation.

The use of hyperlinks, illustrations, photographs, or graphics is discouraged.

We do not allow the entry of PDF documents to the writing categories. Not all jurors are able to view PDF files. This helps ensure your entry is anonymous.

Sources must be cited. We do not require a specific citation format. It may help to view examples of past award-winning works in the Online Gallery.

Effective for the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards:

  • The Humor category has been removed. Works that would have been entered into Humor can be entered into other writing categories such as Short Story or Flash Fiction.
  • The Science Fiction & Fantasy category has been renamed. It is now Speculative Fiction.
  • The Dramatic Script category has been renamed. It is now Screenplays & Scripts.

Collaborative works are not allowed in any categories.

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Critical Essay

Category Description

Writing intended to inform or convince a reader about a specific idea or topic, such as art or media reviews, persuasive essays, opinion essays, etc. 

Special Instructions

Sources must be cited. Use the Footnotes/Citations text box to list your sources when entering your work. This will not count towards your wordcount.

We do not require a specific citation format. Use the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) that best supports your work.

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Word Limit

500–3,000 words

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Flash Fiction

Category Description

This is for your shortest fictional work. This should not be an excerpt of a longer work but should tell a full story. Longer works may be better suited for the Short Story or Novel categories.

Special Instructions

Depending on the genre of your short fiction, it may fit better in another category, such as Speculative Fiction.

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Word Limit

Maximum 1,000 words

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Journalism

Category Description

Writing that informs and educates about newsworthy topics or current events, characterized by a presentation of facts or description of events.

Examples (including but not limited to)

Writing intended for publication in newspapers, magazines, or online media and characterized by a presentation of facts or description of events. 

Special Instructions

Sources must be cited. Use the Work Sources field to list your sources when entering your work. This will not count towards your word count.

If your piece has been published in an online publication or school newspaper, please include the link in the Sources section of your entry.

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Word Limit

500–3,000 words

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Novel

Category Description

An excerpt from a long-form prose narrative.

Special Instructions

The excerpt should be a complete chapter or section from a chapter. Use a sample that showcases your writing and story setup.

Please include a brief (about 250 words) synopsis of your novel. The synopsis is meant to provide readers with an understanding of the full scope, themes, arc, and plot of your novel. Think about what would appear on the back cover of your book but with spoilers!

Your synopsis counts towards your entry’s maximum word limit (3,000 words). Include your summary in the top of the “My Work” section of your entry. In the same text box, include the excerpt of your novel.

Adaptations of or sequels to existing published works are not accepted.

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Word Limit

An excerpt up to 3,000 words, including a 250-word summary of the entire novel.

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Personal Essay & Memoir

Category Description

A creative non-fiction work based on opinion, experience, and/or emotion that explores a topic or event of importance to the author. 

Special Instructions

If you are writing about real people in your everyday life, please use your best judgment about disclosing identifying information (ex: name, address, age, birthday). If you receive an award, your piece may be published. You can change personal details (such as names) before entering the work.

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Word Limit

500–3,000 words

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Poetry

Category Description

Writing in verse. May include, but is not limited to, prose poetry, free verse, formal poetry, song lyrics, and spoken word. 

Special Instructions

Each entry consists of 1 poem. If you have more than one poem they should be entered separately as individual poetry pieces. If you have a longer form poem with sections, that should be entered as one piece. 

Be mindful of the poem’s formatting when entering the work into the upload text box. This is how the poem will appear to jurors. We do not allow the entry of PDF documents to the writing categories. Not all jurors are able to view PDF files. This helps ensure your entry is anonymous.

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Word Limit

3–100 lines

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Screenplays & Scripts

Previously known as Dramatic Script

Category Description

Work that uses dialogue, action, and stage direction to tell a story, including scripts for television, film, or stage.

Special Instructions

Excerpts can be entered but should be clearly labeled as excerpts. 

If your full script is more than 3,000 words, you may provide a 250-word synopsis. The synopsis is meant to provide readers with an understanding of the full scope, themes, arc, and plot of your script.

Your synopsis counts towards your entry’s maximum word limit (3,000 words). Include your summary in the top of the “My Work” section of your entry. In the same text box, include the excerpt of your script.  

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Word Limit

500–3,000 words. If the script exceeds 3,000 words, you may include a 250-word summary.

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Short Story

Category Description

A fictional narrative that is written in prose.

Special Instructions

Depending on the genre of your short story, it may fit better in another category, such as Speculative Fiction. Please make sure you review all categories to determine which category you feel best describes your work.

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Word Limit

1,000–3,000 words

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Speculative Fiction

Previously known as Science Fiction & Fantasy

Category Description

Writing in genres like science fiction, fantasy, horror, dystopian fiction, or alternate histories. This writing uses supernatural, magical, futuristic, scientific, or technological themes as key elements of the narrative. These also include short stories or prose focused on world building, mythology, etc.

Special Instructions

Do not base characters or plots on already published works (books, movies, comics, etc.).

Works that are novel length should be entered in the Novel category.

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Word Limit

500–3,000 words

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Writing Portfolio

(For Graduating Seniors Only)

Category Description

A series of 6 distinct works that demonstrate versatility as a writer, diversity in writing techniques and styles, and a developed, cohesive voice. The works can come from one category or any combination of multiple categories. 

Graduating seniors may enter up to two Writing Portfolios but may not enter the same work in both portfolios.

Special Instructions

The word count for each piece entered in a writing portfolio should adhere to the length limits listed in each individual category.

Work included in a portfolio may also be entered in an individual category (i.e., Short Story, Critical Essay, etc.). 

Seniors may re-enter writing that was entered to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in a previous year as part of their writing portfolio, including work that received an Award. 

Do not include any identifying information, such as your name, in the title of your portfolio or the works included in the entry. 

You must provide a Writer Statement and a Personal Statement—these are two separate statements. Do not copy and paste the same statement for both! 

AI-generated statements are not allowed. The goal of this statement is to hear from you, in your own words. We are looking to understand your original thoughts about your work. We want to hear from you, in your own words!

Writer Statement: Write about your creative process! How did you select the works in your portfolio? Why do these works belong together?

Consider questions like:

  • What do you want readers to understand about your collection of works? 
  • What are the key ideas, issues, struggles, or goals within the portfolio? 
  • What deliberate decisions did you make about voice, literary devices, etc.?

Your Writer Statement should be at least 100 words and must not exceed 500 words. The statement will be visible to jurors. Do not use self-identifying information in the statement. 

Personal Statement: Write about you! Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.  

Consider questions like: 

  • What is a significant accomplishment or joyful experience that has shaped your life?
  • What is a significant challenge, setback, or failure that you experienced? How did you respond to it? How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  • Tell us about how you developed a firmly held belief and how it has changed over time.
  • Have you ever had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?

Your personal statement should be at least 100 words and must not exceed 500 words. This statement will be viewed by the scholarship committee if your work advances and is considered for a national portfolio scholarship award.

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