The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards open for entries on September 1, 2021, and we want to see what you’ve been making!

Works created this spring and summer are eligible for entry next fall, as long as the young creator is eligible for the Scholastic Awards at the time of entry. All students in the United States and Canada in grades 7–12, ages 13 and up, are eligible to enter. See our full participation terms here.

So now comes the big question: How can you make sure your work is ready for entry? Don’t worry, we’re here to help!

Get Tips from Jurors

As you create your work, listen to advice from our esteemed jurors! The piece of feedback we hear most often is to be original.

Learn more straight from our jurors here.

Preparing a portfolio? Check out panel discussions with art and writing jurors for advice on putting together an outstanding portfolio.

Art Portfolio Panel

Writing Portfolio Panel

Document Your Work

Whether you’re working on art or writing, be sure to save a digital copy of your work and back it up! You will need digital documentation of your piece to upload and enter in the Awards come September, and documenting it now ensures nothing is lost over the summer.

For writing, make sure you type up your piece, save it to your computer or the cloud, and email it to yourself for added safety!

For physical artwork, we know taking quality pictures of your work can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Be mindful of your lighting! Look for spaces with good natural light, and be careful to avoid shadows and harsh light that may wash out your work.
• Set your piece against a clean background. Jurors often comment that busy backgrounds distract them from the detail of the work. Place your piece against a plain wall, the floor, or white paper to minimize distractions.
• For 3D categories such as Sculpture and Jewelry, you can upload up to four images, and we recommend using all four! Showcase different angles of your work, take a picture of the detail, and perhaps even take a picture with a ruler for scale. Use these photos to recreate the experience of seeing your work in person.

For more tips, check out this helpful instructional video from our partners at Maine College of Art.

Prepare to Create Your Account

Starting September 1, students and educators can log in or create an account to begin uploading entries. You will need some basic information to create your account, so have the information below handy!

To create a student account, you will need:

• Your first name
• Your last name
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your school’s name and address
• Your home address
• Your parent or guardian’s name, email address, and phone number

To create an educator account, you will need:

• Your first name
• Your last name
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your school or afterschool program’s name and address
• Your student’s day school
• Your student’s email address

Follow us on Instagram @artandwriting and sign up here for additional tips and reminders when the Scholastic Awards open for entry in September.

In the meantime, keep creating! We cannot wait to see what you’re working on, and are looking forward to celebrating your creativity in next year’s Scholastic Awards (just like celebrated the 2021 winners with a virtual National Ceremony on June 9!).

Featured image: Andrea Peguero Gonzalez, Make Lemonade, Drawing & Illustration. Grade 12, Naperville Central High School, Naperville, IL. Daniela Cirone, Educator.

Examples of different views of 3D artwork: Loie Sarmiento, Pockets Filled with Sunshine, Ceramics & Glass. Grade 12, Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, Greenville, SC. Elaine Quave, Educator