1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Website: https://www.artandwriting.org
Description: The most prestigious competition for high school artists in the U.S., with a wide variety of categories.
Deadline: December in many regions, but it varies by region.
Cost: $10 per individual entry, $30 per portfolio (fee waivers available)
2. YoungArts National Arts Competition
Website: https://youngarts.org
Description: A national competition open to visual artists, offering scholarships, mentorship, and access to creative opportunities.
Deadline: Typically mid-October; check the website for the next deadline.
Cost: $35 per application (fee waivers available)
3. Congressional Art Competition Website: https://www.house.gov/educators-and-students/congressional-art-competition
Description: Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. Check with your local congressman on how they structure their competition.
Deadline: Varies by state/district (usually in Spring)
Cost: Free
4. Doodle for Google Contest
Website: https://doodles.google.com/d4g
Description: Students create a doodle for Google’s homepage. Winners receive scholarships and tech prizes.
Deadline: Varies by year; last year, it was Dec 10, 2025.
5. College Board National Recognition Programs
Website: https://www.collegeboard.org
Description: This program is designed to shine a light on high-achieving students nationwide across all backgrounds.
Deadline: The last deadline was June 27, 2025, and there is nothing on the website fr this year’s deadline.
Cost: Free
8. National YoungArts Foundation Visual Arts Scholarships
Website: https://youngarts.org/apply
Description: The program provides talented high school artists (ages 15–18 or grades 10–12) with cash awards ranging from $250 to $10,000, professional mentorship, and national recognition.
Deadline: Typically early October
Cost: $35 fee, but fee waivers are available
9. VSA Emerging Young Artists Program (VSA stands for Very Special Arts)
Website: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/competitions-and-commissions/vsa-emerging-young-artists/
Description: For students with disabilities, this competition celebrates young artists and offers scholarships.
Deadline: Varies (Annual Program)
Cost: Free
10. The Advena World Youth Art Competition
Website: https://advenaworld.com/children-art-competition
Description: International competition to provide exposure to talented artists 15 years of age and younger.
Deadline: Typically, November; the last deadline was November 26, 2025.
Cost: 35.00 USD per entry; 55.00 USD for two entries. Some students may be eligible for a fee waiver.
11. ADRA Art Contest
Website: Link
Description: The ADRA Art Contest is an annual creative competition hosted by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency to engage students and young artists in global humanitarian issues. Participants are invited to submit original artwork—ranging from paintings to digital media—that reflects themes like social justice, ending hunger, or providing education. The contest serves as a platform to amplify youth voices while raising awareness for ADRA’s mission to serve vulnerable populations worldwide. This year’s theme is theme “Home / Shelter – A Place to Belong”
Student age groups 5–9 years, 10–14 years, 15–18 years, 1and 9–25 years
Deadline: Opens Feb 1 and the deadline is March 31st 2026
Cost: Unknown at this time
12. Ocean Awareness Contest
Website: https://bowseat.org/programs/ocean-awareness-contest/how-to-enter/
Description: This competition wants competitors to use art, such as poetry, prose, and film, to demonstrate the connections between human activities and the oceans. To compete, one must be 11-18 years old and from anywhere worldwide.
Deadline: June 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.
Cost: Unknown
13. VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Website: https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest/
Description: The Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is an annual scholarship competition hosted by the VFW Auxiliary for students in grades 9-12. Participants are challenged to express their patriotism through two-dimensional art on canvas or paper, with national awards totaling $37,000 for top winners. To enter, students must submit their original artwork and a brief written explanation of their patriotic vision to a local VFW Auxiliary by the annual March 31 deadline.
Deadline: March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW Auxiliary.*
April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging.*
May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters.*
Cost: Unknown
14. Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition (International)
Website: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/youth
Description: Youth competition open to photographers aged 19 and under. Entry is free and you could win top Sony Digital Imaging equipment, inclusion in the London exhibition and the annual book – plus more!
Deadline: Typically June 1 to early January
Cost: No Cost
This list covers a wide range of opportunities for middle and high school art students. Be sure to check the specific requirements and deadlines on each website, as they may be subject to change. This list will continue to evolve and if you have a competition to reccomend, that is applicable to middle and high school students in the USA or internationally, let us know in the comments!
