Scholastic Art Awards

SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING AWARDS

ABOUT THE SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, were founded in 1923 by Maurice R. Robinson, founder of Scholastic Inc., the children's educational publishing and media company. The program was designed to recognize and encourage student achievement in the creative arts by offering scholarships and visibility, and it continues to fulfill this mission today. In 1994, The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a non-profit organization, was formed to expand the network of support for aspiring young American artists and writers through the distinguished Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards were founded in order to offer recognition and scholarships for students for their artistic talents, instead of their academic or athletic abilities. Students who excel in the visual arts and creative writing participate in The Awards in order to earn recognition, get their work exhibited or published, and to earn scholarships.

Throughout its 80-year history, more than 20 million students have participated in The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and more than $12 million in scholarships has been awarded. Each year more than 250,000 students, from 90 regions across the country, enter their work to The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for consideration. After the regional and national judging process, approximately 1,100 students are selected as national winners. Student award winners join the roster of past notable winners such as Andy Warhol, Robert Redford, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Bernard Malamud,RichardAvedon,and Philip
Pearlstein.

RECOGNITION
During the annual program year, more than 30,000 students will be recognized in their local communities, and 1,000 students will receive National Awards. Students and teachers are celebrated at regional ceremonies, public events and the national ceremony at Carnegie Hall.

REGIONAL AWARDS
Gold Key: The highest level of achievement on the regional level. Gold Key works are forwarded to New York City for national adjudication.
American Visions & Voices Nominees: Works named “Best of Show” for each Region.
Silver Key: Works worthy of recognition on the regional level.
Honorable Mention: Work exhibits artistic potential.

"The defining moment of my life was when I was seventeen and was honored by The Awards. Being recognized meant that little pat on the back, that sense of confidence that I could enter a life I loved, and I had someone behind me say, " This is okay.' "
Richard Avedon, (1923-2004) was one of the most important American photographers of the 20th century

"The ReUnion", National Gold Medal Winner

NATIONAL AWARDS
GOLD MEDAL: The most outstanding works in the nation.
American Visions & Voices Medal: Works selected from the American Visions & Voices nominees as the national “Best in Region.”
Silver Medal: Works demonstrating high honors on the national level