This year, we have been awed and inspired by the work of amazing young artists and writers, and we can’t wait to see what they create next! While we prepare to celebrate our 2021 National Medalists with a virtual ceremony on June 9, 2021, we cannot help looking forward to next fall, when we can begin seeing the incredible work teens are making this spring.  

Although the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards will not open for new entries until September 1, 2021, teens can start creating their next great work now. Students who are at least 13 years old and will be in grades 7-12 next fall are invited to save the works they create this spring and summer to enter in next year’s Awards. Deadlines vary by region starting December 1, 2021. 

So where to begin? Sign up here for a reminder on September 1, when the Scholastic Awards open for entry.  Then, start creating! For those looking for fresh inspiration, we have some tips on how to get started. 

Resources for students: 

• Take inspiration from your peers! Check out Award-winning works from years past in our Online Gallery. 
• Explore poetry with On Isolation: A Series of Poetry Prompts and Exercises on Growth, Healing, and Crisis. It includes thoughtful lessons and prompts from 10 alumni from our National Student Poets Program. 
• Experiment with editorial cartoons! We’ve assembled a short list of resources to help you start creating your own topical editorial cartoon. Check them out here. 
• Express yourself through your creativity with guidance from Healing Through Creativity and accompanying virtual resources. Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one or processing the many transitions of the past year, these activities may resonate with you. 
• Create for climate change. Check out guiding activities from around the web here. 
• Open your mind to science fiction with tips and prompts to start building your own world. 
• Exercise your voice and vision for justice with activities to help you explore civic engagement in your work. 

Resources for educators: 

• Guide students in reflecting on Scholastic Award–winning works with The Best Teen Writing of 2020 discussion guide on page 218 (PDF page 111). 

• Support your students through the difficult process of navigating grief and expressing emotions through creativity with Healing Through Creativity and the accompanying activity guides for visual art educators and writing educators. 
• Check out all of our classroom resources at www.artandwriting.org/classroom-guides/. 

Keep an eye on the blog for more tips on how to make sure your work is ready for entry come September. 

Image credit: Frederick Chen, Future’s Out There, Digital Art. Grade 12, Visual and Performing Arts High, Jersey City, NJ