Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7–12 apply in 29 categories of art and writing. In 2018, students submitted nearly 350,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards.
Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Voices & Visions Nominations are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold Medals, Silver Medals, American Voices & Visions Medals, Gold Medal and Silver with Distinction Portfolio Medals, and Special Achievement Awards. National Medalist are recognized in part at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Regional AwardsGold Key
The very best works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national–level recognition
Silver Key
Stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.
Honorable Mention
Accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.
American Visions & Voices Nominees
Five works, from across all categories and grades, are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-of-Show” for each local program as nominees for the American Visions & Voices Medals.
National AwardsGold Medal
The most outstanding works in the nation.
Silver Medal
Works demonstrating high honors on the national level.
American Visions & Voices Medals
One work from each local region, from the five American Voices & Visions Nominees, will earn an American Visions & Voices Medal.
Gold Medal & Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolios
Seniors with outstanding portfolios are recognized with Gold Medal Portfolio and Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio Awards. These honors include scholarships.
Special Achievement Awards
Additional awards and scholarships are presented through the support of our sponsors.
ENTER HERE
Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Voices & Visions Nominations are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold Medals, Silver Medals, American Voices & Visions Medals, Gold Medal and Silver with Distinction Portfolio Medals, and Special Achievement Awards. National Medalist are recognized in part at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Regional AwardsGold Key
The very best works submitted to local programs. Gold Key works are automatically considered for national–level recognition
Silver Key
Stand-out works submitted to local programs that demonstrate exceptional ability.
Honorable Mention
Accomplished works submitted to local programs showing great skill and potential.
American Visions & Voices Nominees
Five works, from across all categories and grades, are selected from those earning Gold Keys as the “Best-of-Show” for each local program as nominees for the American Visions & Voices Medals.
National AwardsGold Medal
The most outstanding works in the nation.
Silver Medal
Works demonstrating high honors on the national level.
American Visions & Voices Medals
One work from each local region, from the five American Voices & Visions Nominees, will earn an American Visions & Voices Medal.
Gold Medal & Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolios
Seniors with outstanding portfolios are recognized with Gold Medal Portfolio and Silver Medal with Distinction Portfolio Awards. These honors include scholarships.
Special Achievement Awards
Additional awards and scholarships are presented through the support of our sponsors.
ENTER HERE