Recognition / Exhibition / Publication / Scholarship
The Scholastic Art Awards is the nation’s largest, longest-running, and most prestigious recognition program for creative teenagers in the visual arts. Nearly 200,000 students will accept the challenge to go beyond the classroom assignment, creating daring and innovative works. They will submit their best pieces for review by panels of art professionals, and compete for recognition, scholarships, and exhibition opportunities.
Since 2011, VMFA has served as a regional affiliate for the Scholastic Art Awards, serving 60 counties in Virginia. From 2011 to 2014, we have seen a 59 percent increase in the number of applications for this program. While this certainly proves that Virginia has an impressive abundance of talented young artists, the number of annual submissions has outgrown the Richmond Art Region. VMFA will no longer be able to serve as an affiliate for 2015 and the foreseeable future. Teachers and students interested in participating in the Scholastic Art Awards for 2015 will now submit to the Southeast Region-at-Large.
VMFA will remain engaged with the teen audience through year-round studio programs, the Teen Stylin’ program for young designers, and the Museums Leaders in Training program, along with exploration and development of digital and traditional resources for secondary education. Find more information about VMFA Teen Programs.
Why Do Students Participate in The Scholastic Art Awards?
College Preparation
To develop the skills and vision needed for college admissions.
Scholarships
To earn scholarships from a pool of $3.60 million in tuition support, the largest source of funding for teens in the arts.
Professional Experience
To build credentials for résumés and applications to college and future employers.
Prestige
To participate in the nation’s most prestigious recognition program for artists and writers, which identified the early promise of Richard Avedon, Joyce Maynard, Tom Otterness, Philip Pearlstein, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Andy Warhol, and Zac Posen.
Southeast Region-at-Large
If a school is located in an area of the Southeast (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA and WV), which does not have a regional program, students and teachers participate in the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards through the Southeast Region-at-Large. The Southeast Writing Region-at-Large is administered by the Alliance’s national office in New York City. Although students and teachers will not have a local exhibition and ceremony, the work will be judged on the regional level for Honorable Mention, Silver Key, and Gold Key Awards. Gold Key work will be considered for national-level recognition.
The Southeast Region-at-Large is comprised of areas that do not have regional Scholastic Writing Award programs and includes Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as parts of Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
NOTE: VMFA is in communication with our statewide partner network to brief them of this change and will provide guidance should they be interested in serving as a Scholastic affiliate for the localities they serve.
About The Alliance
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide creative teens with opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, scholarships, and professional development. This is achieved through the Alliance’s signature program, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which provides an important opportunity for students across the country to be recognized for their talents and gain financial assistance for their education and development.
Questions? Please contact teenprograms@vmfa.museum.