The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the largest and most prestigious arts recognition program in the United States.
All students in grades 7-12 currently enrolled in a public or non-public school in the United States, Canada, the U.S. territories, or U.S.-sponsored schools abroad.
Awards: Awards are available in 10 writing categories and 16 art categories. Publishing opportunities may be available for winning students in both art and writing categories.
SIXTEEN VISUAL ART CATEGORIES
Painting
Oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, casein, tempers
On canvas, canvas board, paper, any flat surface. Painting must be completely dry.
Drawing
Pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, crayon
Drawings must be fixed with a suitable fixative and mounted on rigid board. Use black or mattes only, if matted. No frames, glass, plexiglass or wood strips.
Mixed Media
Two or more media, incorporating any number of materials.
Must hang on wall. Category includes collage and assemblage. Combinations of painting and drawing only should be submitted into either the painting or drawing category.
Printmaking
Any form of printmaking (I.e. etching, lithograph, intaglio, silkscreen, woodcut, etc.)
Must be mounted on rigid board. Use black or white mattes only, if matted.
Sculpture
Modeled, carved, cast, constructed or assembled
Bases must be attached. Fragile items not recommended.
Photography
Black & white, color, transparencies, experimental
Use consent forms if necessary for portraits. Indicate on Entry Form who developed and enlarged prints.
Computer Graphics
Projects of an experimental, abstract, or narrative nature
A color or laser print only, with source application identified; disks will not be accepted.
Video, Film, & Animation
Projects of an experimental, abstract, or narrative nature
VHS only; computer disks will not be accepted. Use consent form if necessary.
Architecture & Environmental Design
Examples: buildings, bridges, towers, city and town plans, landscapes, interiors, exhibitions, and displays
Design Entries: Please note that your design entry must be original and will be judged on how cleverly and attractively it solves the problem.
Graphic Design
Examples: advertisements, book covers, newspapers, magazines, comics, cartoons, calendars, stationary, announcements, programs, menus, posters, logos, symbols, board games, CD's, sales materials, packaging, t-shirts, signs, software, and web-sites.
Product Design
Examples: apparel and fashion, appliances, electronics, hardware, housewares, home furnishings, sporting goods, toys, musical products, robots, farm and industrial products, scientific instruments, cars, trucks, boats planes, and recreational vehicles.
Ceramics & Glass
Kiln-fired clay, glazed or unglazed, or blown glass
Functional or decorative; fragile items not recommended.
Jewelry & Metalsmithing
Includes pendants, rings, pins, brooches, boxes, and small metal objects.
Precious materials not recommended.
Textile & Fiber Design
Fabric, fiber, handmade paper, and reeds
Includes batik, weaving, stitchery, hooking, tufting, embroidery, macramé, trappunto, and basketry.
Art Portfolio
Individual portfolio of eight works, including at least three drawings. Art portfolios submitted for national judging or from unsponsored regions must be submitted in the form of 35mm slides.
Open to graduating students who plan to attend college. Be sure to check entry form for any regional requirements.
Use Portfolio Entry Form. Slides should be of the highest possible quality.
Photography Portfolio
Individual portfolio of eight works. Photography portfolios may be submitted in print, slide or transparency form.
Size Limitations For All Works:
Artwork must fit into a box with appropriate packing materials, including styrofoam peanuts, bubble-wrap and/or double boxing, whose dimensions do not exceed 130" in length and girth combined (length + 2x width + 2x depth). A good rule of thumb is to add 6" to each dimension (length + width + depth) when measuring the artwork and then use the formula above to determine length + girth. Maximum weight in all categories is 130 lbs.
NINE WRITING CATEGORIES
Short Story
A tightly crafted fictional narrative
Short Short Story
A highly focused story concerning one central idea, conflict, or situation.
Essay/Nonfiction/Opinion Writing and Journalism
A nonfiction work intended to instruct, inform, explain,persuade, or entertain, such as essays (serious or humorous), journalistic articles, editorials, personal narratives. Research papers and book reports are not accepted.
Dramatic Script
12 18 An original radio, television, or film script, or one-act stage play. Adaptations of published works or existing movies/television programs not accepted. 30 minutes(approx. 30 pgs)
Poetry
Entry may consist of one or several poems. A group/collection of poems is submitted as one entry, provided that the total lines do not exceed length limitations.
Humor
20 30 Satire, parody, or humorous anecdote in any form
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Science Fiction explores the potential effects of real or imagined science/technology on society or individuals. Fantasy creates its own universe.
Writing Portfolio
General Portfolio - A collection of narratives, individual poems, and/or dramatic scripts demonstrating the breadth and diversity of the writer's talent.
Longer works-in-progress may be submitted.
Portfolios must include a table of contents (title, category, and indicate if work has been submitted previously) and a personal essay of reflection about the writing portfolio (not to exceed 500 words).
James B. Reston Portfolio - A collection of essays, nonfiction, and/or opinion pieces demonstrating the breadth of the writer's talent.
Additional program information is available on the Web at http://www.artandwriting.org/Awards/HowTo
