Every year during the summer, we take a moment to reflect on the past program year of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. We have a wealth of successes and milestones to celebrate, such as another record year of submissions and the formation of new partnerships. At the same time, we look to improve. We conducted a review of our process and policies, and solicited feedback from staff, Affiliates, students, educators, parents, jurors, alumni, funders, and others, in order to make thoughtful updates to the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. In doing so, we hope to enhance the experience of our students and educators, and broaden the opportunities available through increased awareness and scholarship offerings.
Take a moment to learn what’s new this year so that you’re ready to participate in the 2019 Awards, which opened for submissions on September 12, 2018. We can’t wait to see your original, creative works! You inspire us every year and we look forward to supporting you along the way.
New and Notable Scholarships
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partners with organizations to present additional recognition and scholarship opportunities for our students. Learn more about our scholarships and how you can apply.
Best-in-Grade Award
The Best-in-Grade Award, underwritten by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides 24 students (two artists and two writers per grade 7–12) with $500 scholarships.
How to apply: All Gold Key-awarded work will be considered.
Civic Expression Award
The Civic Expression Award, underwritten by the Maurice R. Robinson Fund, provides six students whose works best promote responsible civic life with $1,000 scholarships.
How to apply: During the online submission process, opt in for consideration by responding to the Civic Expression Award prompt.
New York Life Award
The New York Life Award, underwritten by the New York Life Foundation, elevates the voice of bereaved teens and creates healing conversations around grief. It provides six students whose works explore personal grief, loss, and bereavement with $1,000 scholarships.
How to apply: During the online submission process, opt in for consideration by responding to the New York Life Award prompt.
One Earth Award (NEW)
The One Earth Award, underwritten by an anonymous donor, provides four students whose creative works are related to climate change with $1,000 scholarships. In addition, special awards are also available for students and educators from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
How to apply: During the online submission process, opt in for consideration by responding to the One Earth Award prompt.
Portfolio Awards
The Portfolio Awards, made possible by generous individual donors and other supporters, provide 16 Gold Medal Portfolio recipients with $10,000 scholarships and 30 Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio recipients with $1,000 scholarships.
How to apply: All graduating seniors submitting portfolios will be considered.
The Alliance/ACT-SO Journey Award (NEW)
The Alliance/ACT-SO Journey Award, in partnership with the NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), provides travel stipends for up to ten ACT-SO scholars, who also receive Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ National Medals, to attend the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall.
How to apply: During the online submission process, ACT-SO scholars should opt in for consideration by selecting ACT-SO as their “Other Educational Program.”
The ESA Foundation Award for Video Game Design (NEW)
The ESA Foundation Award for Video Game Design, underwritten by the Entertainment Software Association Foundation, provides two students who exhibit excellence in video game design with $1,000 scholarships.
How to apply: All submissions to the Video Game Design category will be considered.
The Herblock Award for Editorial Cartoon
The Herblock Award for Editorial Cartoon, underwritten by The Herb Block Foundation, provides three students who exhibit excellence in editorial cartoons with $1,000 scholarships.
How to apply: All submissions to the Editorial Cartoon category will be considered.
Category Change
Video Game Design now includes conceptual designs of playable games that make use of gameplay and/or digital media (e.g., visual art, sound design, digital storytelling, etc.). Students will be able to upload eight conceptual components per submission.
Changes to Participation Terms
- Students must be ages 13 and up to create an account on artandwriting.org/login and to submit their information online.
- With participation in the Awards, students grant the Alliance a non-exclusive license to promote submitted works. Participation no longer requires a two-year grant of exclusive rights to the Alliance; however, our dedication to recognizing and promoting your works has not changed. Click here to read the full Participation Terms.
Changes to the Submission Process
- Fee payment instructions for Future New submissions have been updated. Please send the submission forms and fees for Future New submissions to:
Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012 - Some affiliates have completed an upgrade to enable students to submit their submission forms digitally, eliminating the need to mail in submission forms. This varies by region, so check your region’s guidelines and follow the instructions when completing your submission form.
- Educators can now pay for student submissions within their educator accounts.
- Parent/guardian emails are now required when creating student accounts.
- Students can now donate to help fund another student’s submission fee.
Now you’re all caught up! If you have any questions, you may always visit our FAQ page or contact us via email at info@artandwriting.org.