We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new, more efficient, user-friendly, and mobile-accessible Scholastic Awards entry portal.

This modern online entry system will allow the Scholastic Awards to recognize and encourage more young artists and writers than ever before, advancing our mission in exciting new ways as we embark on our second century. At the heart of this transition is our dedication to making the Scholastic Awards available to all eligible young artists and writers who seek the opportunities for recognition, exhibition, scholarships, and affirmation offered by the Scholastic Awards.

This multi-year project was made possible, in part, with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture, as well as numerous other foundations, corporations, and individual donors.

The application requirements and opportunities available through the Scholastic Awards remain largely the same, but the process to enter is easier and faster than ever! Starting September 1, create your account at portal.artandwriting.org to get started.

Read on for more information about what to expect in your new dashboard.

What’s new? Your Scholastic Awards Dashboard

All participants will need to create new accounts this year, even if they have participated in the Scholastic Awards before. In future years, returning teen and educator participants will not need to create a new account; they will be able to log in to their existing account.

You can access the portal easily from a desktop or mobile device, including smartphones and tablets.

More specific changes include:

• It is now faster and easier to create accounts!
• Educators can no longer create accounts for their students from their educator account, but teens can more easily set up their own accounts. Check out the full list of information required to set up an account on the account creation worksheet.
• Educators must be located in the same Scholastic Awards region as their students in order to connect their accounts.
• Keep an eye out for messages in your account! Scholastic Awards administrators can send messages to teens and educators in their accounts, and educators can message their students directly in the system! Check out the red conversation bubble in the navigation panel of your dashboard to keep track of your new messages.
• No more entry forms! Parent or guardian permission will be granted over email. Teens are required to input their parent or guardian’s email address when they create their account.
• No more fee waiver forms! Fee waivers can be more easily accessed by checking a box on the payment page of your entry.
• Educators can more easily manage payment for their students’ entries, including:
  • Indicating, on behalf of their students, that an entry will be covered by a fee waiver.
  • Generating invoices from their accounts to track entry fees that will be paid by their school or organization. View the instructions for generating an invoice in your educator account.
  • Paying for their students’ entries with a credit card.

What’s staying the same?

The Scholastic Awards will continue to offer the same recognition, exhibition, and scholarship opportunities to all eligible young creatives, just with a new look!

• U.S.- and Canada-based teens in grades 7–12 (age 13 and up) are eligible to participate in the Scholastic Awards by entering art and writing in 28 different categories.
• In order to enter, participants must copy and paste their writing into the entry form in their dashboard or upload a picture of their artwork. Click the links to learn more about entry requirements for specific categories and tips on documenting your artwork. Participants can opt-in to have their work considered for scholarship awards.
• For all participants under the age of 18, parent or guardian permission is required to enter.
• To complete your entry, pay the entry fee in your account ($10 for individual entries, $30 for portfolio entries) or select the option to waive the fee. Payment can be completed from a teen or educator account.
• All complete entries are evaluated by qualified jurors around the country using our online judging portal. Works are considered for Honorable Mention, Silver Key, and Gold Key awards at the regional level. Gold Key works are considered for national awards, including Silver Medal, Gold Medal, and scholarship awards. Regional and national award winners are recognized in publications and through celebratory events and exhibitions.

Resources to Learn More

For help navigating the new entry portal, check out our instructional videos for teens and our videos for educators. Educators can find resources to help their students create accounts, including worksheets and PowerPoint presentations, on our website.

Have more questions? Check out our FAQ or come to a live webinar, happening throughout the fall, for additional support.

We can’t wait to see what you’ve been creating!