If you have a knack for the arts and are passionate in the creatives, then art competitions can be an excellent way to showcase your talents.

Along with cash prizes and awards, you can gain valuable feedback from judges, receive recognition for your works, and gain a supportive community of like-minded students.

In this post, we cover the top 8 art competitions for high school students in 2024, including overviews, key dates, eligibility, and more.

1. National YoungArts Competition Description: The YoungArts competition is one of the most prestigious and well-known art competitions in the world.

Students may submit pieces of work to 10 disciplines, including (but not limited to) writing, visual arts, film, photography, dance, and classical music.

Eligibility: 15-18 years old or in grades 10-12, and based in the United States Awards: Cash prizes from $250 to $10,000, receive artistic support and a network of peers and mentors, plus the opportunity to be nominated for a U.

S.

Presidential Scholar in the arts Dates: 2025 application opens in July 2024; deadline for submissions usually falls in October each year.

Cost: $35 application fee.

2. Scholastic Art and Writing Awards About: One of the oldest and most prestigious art competitions and award programs for creative teens, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards occurs annually and hosts numerous entry categories to compete in.

These range from short stories, poetry, painting, to film and animation and many others.

Eligibility: In grades 7-12, age 13 or older, residing in the United States or U.

S. territories, or Canada Awards: Tier-based awards system; all students enter regional selection and top entries are awarded Gold Keys.

These submissions advance to the national awards where students receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in their categories.

Special prizes and/or scholarships are given as well.

Dates: Submission deadline varies by region but typically falls between December and January.

See here to find your local deadline.

Cost: $10 per submission or $30 per portfolio (for artistic works)

3. Doodle for Google Description: Run by Google, this is one of the more unique high school art competitions on this list.

This contest provides the opportunity for students to design a Google logo based on a theme.

Participants submit their doodle made in any art medium along with a typed essay explaining what they’ve created.

This year, the prompt was: “My wish for the next 25 years”.

Eligibility: At least 13 years or older, U.

S. citizen, enrolled in elementary or secondary school in the U.

S.

Awards: $55,000 scholarship, $50,000 technology package for the winner’s school or non-profit of choice, Google hardware, and swag Dates: Deadline falls on late March each year Cost: Free.

4. Ocean Awareness Contest About: This annual contest aims to bring awareness to the ongoing climate crisis and spotlight stories of those who have examined their “individual responses to our evolving world. ” The competition emphasizes that these stories do not have to be catastrophic in nature, but rather invites discussion over how climate change impacts students’ everyday lives.

Students may submit art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia to the contest.

Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 from around the world (Junior Division: Age 11-14; Senior Division: Age 15-18) Awards: $1,000 first prize, $750 second prize, $500 bronze prize, $250 pearl prize, $100 honorable mention Dates: The deadline this year is June 10, 202

4. Cost: Free

5. Congressional Art Competition Description: Sponsored by the U.

S.

House of Representatives, this competition aims to recognize highly talented students in the visual arts sphere.

Participants may submit any type of 2D artwork done in mediums ranging from mixed media, painting, or digital art.

Eligibility: High school student residing in any congressional district of the U.

S.

Awards: Winning piece displayed at the U.

S.

Capitol for one year Dates: Late April each year Cost: Free.

6. New York Times Student Writing and Art Competitions About: The New York Times holds numerous annual writing and art competitions for high school, ranging from editorial and photo essay contests to competitions that allow students to create multimedia art that represents what life is like in high school.

Students are awarded based on creativity, broader themes, and personal narrative.

Eligibility: Middle or high school students aged 13-19 based anywhere in the world Awards: Varies, but usually includes publication of the students’ submission on the New York Times website Dates: Varies, but submission window typically opens from February – April to March – May Cost: Free

7. Celebrating Art About: Celebrating Art is a high school art competition that allows students around the U.

S. to submit original art done in numerous mediums for the opportunity to be published.

The competition runs triannually, and one entry is allowed per student for each contest.

However, students may participate in all contests throughout the year.

Eligibility: K-12 students based in the U.

S.

Awards: Top 45% of submissions are published in a printed anthology; top 10 submissions in each of the three grade divisions (K-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12) receive $25 and a free book.

Dates: Three contests are offered throughout the year.

The most recent deadlines for the 2023 year are listed below.

Spring: April 6  Fall: August 10 Winter: December 7 Cost: Free

8. Cooper Hewitt’s National High School Design Competition About: This art competition challenges high school students to combine the fields of design and art with data.

This two-tiered contest starts with the first stage, open to all contestants.

Finalists then advance to stage two, where students will finalize their designs according to sent requirements and participate in a series of mentoring activities and present their designs to judges.

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 or homeschooled who are ages 13-19 and residing in the U.

S.

Awards: 1 Winner receives a custom design gift package and complimentary Family Membership to Cooper Hewitt.

Finalists attend an in-person Mentor Weekend at MIT, with all accommodations provided.

In addition, their designs, along with those of Honorable Mentions, will be featured in an online exhibition on the Cooper Hewitt website.

Dates: Deadline falls on February each year.

The mentor weekend occurs in early May, and the judging weekend occurs in mid June.

Cost: Free Art Competitions for High Schoolers—Concluding Remarks In this post, we provided the top 8 art competitions for high schoolers in 202

4. If you have a creative outlet, then participating in art competitions can be a great way to get your art out there and gain recognition for your talent.

In addition, competing in art competitions can allow you to continuously practice so that you can hone your skills.

However, if your intellectual curiosity isn't specific to only the arts, check out these 50+ opportunities in STEM in this curated, comprehensive guide.

Remember, high school competitions can not only be beneficial to place on college applications, but can also provide students with valuable experiences and opportunities for growth.

Best of luck in your journey!.