Scholastic Art Awards

[Zirngibism]

The purpose of this thread to-

1. Tell people who are still in high school about the Awards, in case your teacher hasn't. http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/index_page6.htm

2. Connect with any previous winners and talk about the awards (I just got back from the awards ceremony in New York a couple days ago). We could talk about whether the portfolio gold judging was sound, or how the workshops went, etc...

3. Explain how to get money through Scholastic.

------------------------------------------------------------

The Scholastic awards are a good way to obtain scholarship money, especially if you win on the national level. The Scholastic Awards is a prestigious (and HUGE) national art contest (with regional levels) that gives recognition to High School and Middle School students in a variety of visual art (and also writing categories).

Something to keep in mind is that you don't necessarily need to be given scholarship money from the contest itself (in fact, the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers [the people who host the National contest] directly give scholarships only to the national gold portfolio winners). HOWEVER, they have connections with a huge number of schools, who they notify if you get a national win. Just give them the name(s) of where you're applying and they'll send an announcement of what you won. So, through Scholastic, you ultimately win scholarship money from your desired college, not the Alliance itself.

From personal experience, my national portfolio award got me additional money on top of the scholarship they already offered me. Most colleges put a lot of weight on the scholastic judges (perhaps even more than their individual evaluators) so it's possible that you might end up getting more money from your college as a result of your award than what the college decides you should get for a scholarship.

As a warning, though, each school is different. Some might give out less money for the same thing. Sometimes it's a flat amount (like a few thousand) and other times it's variable.

Keep in mind that you don't have to win nationally in order to get money. Local sponsors (like colleges) can offer scholarships (especially for regional portfolio winners). Other colleges also offer scholarships for choice portfolios, around a few thousand. Third parties, anywhere from artists clubs to framing companies can also give "scholarships", which are really just cash prizes. They're assuming you're going to use the money for college (or hoping you will, hehe). Usually these cash prizes are under $1000.00.

MY BIG ADVICE HERE IS TO ENTER A PORTFOLIO YOUR SENIOR YEAR, not a whole bunch of individual works. If you feel like you have eight strong pieces, by all means do so. You will get rewarded more financially. Additionally, because you're only allowed to enter a portfolio if you're a senior, you're competing with a smaller group. I was very close to making the mistake of entering several things separately, for fear that my stronger pieces might be "brought down" by my weaker ones. However, when I found out I was allowed to pull out pieces from previous years, I decided to enter the unit (with what I thought was my strongest piece entered separately).

From my experience, if you enter things most appreciated by this website, your chance of winning a gold national portfolio is pretty much nothing. The judges tend to heavily favor a "fine artsy" portfolio- no "illustration-type" stuff. They are also looking for consistency-- just about every single example of a national gold portfolio winner I've seen is made in the same medium, with the same type of subject matter, the same style, etc... They're looking for someone who's "found their voice", not even someone who's a "master of all trades". At least this is what I've seen with the winners of the last several years.



From one who judged the contest both locally and nationally:

I've judged multiple regionals and Nationals.

It is extremely stressful. Depending on the category, there an be well over 1200 entries. I just got done doing one category in Senior Drawing where there were nearly 900 pieces- with 21 gold keys given out, 80+ silver keys, about 120+ certificates and three sponsored awards.

Myself and four other judges were in a huge room with four student helpers (no high school instructors were allowed in the room because of possible tampering or interference). There were literally piles upon piles of work to which we had to cull through. We had to do initial stages of sorting- with the initial one of our group looking at each individual piece for a few seconds. If a majority YES vote was given- it stayed, a majority NO given, it was passed down the pipe and onto a waiting cart to be taken back to a sorting area to be delivered back to their respective high schools.

Each of the judges then chose their top 10 pieces they thought had merit. Out of those fifty, the gold keys were chosen. The latter were dropped to silver. We had to pick the next tier and the sorting process started all over again for the silver as was for the certificates.

This was OUR select way of choosing THIS time. I've been in other situations where the criteria to choose was different. It's left up to the judges to figure out the best and most effective way to choose the best work. We were given a criteria to choose the best work. We disagreed on many chosen and agreed on others; diplomacy is a must when it comes to this judging. Individual tastes and personalities do not always mesh. It's exhausting physically and emotionally. The other judges were also industry professionals- many of which had won when they were in high school, and are now working artists in their own right.

This process took well over 7 hours to do.

Is it the most fair? Were certain quality pieces passed over at times? Were certain stellar pieces gotten in? Of course this happens- at Scholastics and every other art competition. Alas this is not an Olympic sprint where there is a clear cut decisive winner that can be measured by who crossed the finish line first. This competition is judged by caring human beings who take time out of our days to do this. We are fallible. We have our own likes & dislikes. We, as a team of judges try our very best to come up with what we think is the best work by highly talented and motivated students.

Even if a person doesn't merit a certificate, a silver or gold key- it no way speaks to them of their drive and ambition. Their pieces just did not strike a chord with the judges that particular day; it does not mean that on another day or with another panel of judges, it couldn't have won it all.

To all those who have entered and succeeded- Congratulations! I sincerely hope this is a boost to your career and ambitions to be an artist. And to those who did not win but still competed- do not walk away defeated; keep striving and working hard. Art is not a one time thing and is a lifetime of learning and expanding of the mind and soul. An extended bravo to the high school art teachers, counselors and parents that encourage their students to enter this contest- none of this would be possible without you.

...Do realize that this is just ONE of my experiences judging. Depending on the amount of work, the other judges and other criteria- there have been different formats in judging. But our main goal has always been to choose what we feel is to be the best of the best.

We are not allowed to look at the names written on the back, know the instructors who shepherded the piece along, or have contact with the volunteer instructors during the judging. We try to be as impartial as can be and uphold the rules set forth by the executive committee.

It's tough work and far from an exact science, but we try our very best.

[bluefruitbowl]

Hey. Rising senior, here. I won one gold key/ silver national photo and one gold key computer art. Region at Large. thesinfulsaint also entered some stuff and won something.
There is a post about this in the scholarship part of the forum.
I was invited to attend the award ceremony, but didn't actually attend because we, as a family collectively, could not for the life of us find the forms to turn in on time. Teehee.
How was it?
Did you submit a portfolio or just individual pieces?
And I second the spreading of the word. I had no idea about this contest from school.

[thesinfulsaint]

Aww, thanks for the plug, bluefruitbowl! I won 2 regional gold keys for an oil painting self-portrait series and a graphite portriat. I won a national silver award for a colored pencil drawing of my car. I, like bluefruit, was invited to go to the national ceremony, but there were conflicts and I wound up being unable to attend. It sure sounded nice, though!

Just wanted to say that I think this thread is a great idea. I wish I had known about Scholastics earlier in high school. Last year was the first year that I had work in the show.

Good luck to everyone this year! I hope to see some portfolio gold awards from CA.org

[Storyboard Dave]

As someone who judges this competition, I would highly recommend that people enter it. They have money galore for scholarships and if you've got what it takes to impress the judges (and they're from all walks of life and perspectives), you could go home with some decent cash for your education.

[chocolatecello]

This is a ridiculous question, but I can't for the life of me find any sort of registration/submission form(s) on the website. Is this something you have to be nominated for, then? *confused*

[watermonster]

I'm interested in this award, but I've graduated Grade 11 (without plans of doing 12) - can I still participate? (Additionally, I live in the Middle East)

[emily g]

This is from the website:

"Who Can Participate? Young artists and writers currently enrolled in grades 7 – 12 and who attend a public, private, parochial or home-school in the United States, U.S. Territories or U.S.-sponsored schools abroad. Canadian students in equivalent grades are also eligible as part of the Region at Large."

It looks like you have to be currently enrolled and in a Canadian or U.S.-sponsored school.

[bluefruitbowl]

to chocolatecello, the forms aren't up yet for the upcoming year. I'd expect registration to start sometime mid-September.

[Cello]

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to submit a portfolio with certain individual pieces in it submitted in other categories?

[emily g]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. I haven't been through process, but I assume it would be best not to submit duplicate images. Are you putting the artwork in categories and want to put some works in more than one category?

[Cello]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean. I haven't been through process, but I assume it would be best not to submit duplicate images. Are you putting the artwork in categories and want to put some works in more than one category?

Basically, I want to submit an Art Portfolio. However, I want to submit some pieces in the portfolio in their corresponding categories, just in case my portfolio as a whole isn't good but some of it is. Can I do that?

[thesinfulsaint]

Can I do that?
I don't think so, unfortunately. :(

[Cello]

I don't think so, unfortunately. :(

Curses. I'll have to actually think about this then. :\

[Zirngibism]

Something else to keep in mind is that, on the regional level, they don't allow the same person to enter more than 1 portfolio (I know from experience- I'd entered in an analog portfolio and tried to get in a "computer art" [fractal stuff, not digital painting] and they wouldn't let me.)

[Zirngibism]

Hey. Rising senior, here. I won one gold key/ silver national photo and one gold key computer art. Region at Large. thesinfulsaint also entered some stuff and won something.
There is a post about this in the scholarship part of the forum.
I was invited to attend the award ceremony, but didn't actually attend because we, as a family collectively, could not for the life of us find the forms to turn in on time. Teehee.
How was it?
Did you submit a portfolio or just individual pieces?
And I second the spreading of the word. I had no idea about this contest from school.

Congratulations!

Hm... what region were you in? Was it Northeast Ohio? I ask because both thesinfulsaint and I were in that region (In fact, some of her work was on the other side of the wall my portfolio was hanging on :tihi: )

You might have been able to find the forms for the ceremony online... and if they're not up there they should be...

I submitted a portfolio and one individual piece my senior year, but I got awards for single works 3 years previous. I think on my sketchbook I labelled some of the things that won on other years (totals 7 national awards for single works total, 3 golds and 4 silvers, and I think a couple honorable mentions but I don't remember).

It's too bad more schools don't get the word out. If anything, it's a way for us non-athletes to get some recognition. I'd imagine the contest gets a list of every public high school and e-mails them every year. I'm not as sure about private schools (though they did participate).

The ceremony was pretty neat. At the beginning, we all walked onstage, single file, while the "Nuttin' but Stringz" group played. There was a speech from the Scholastic CEO, and some actors gave readings of some of the gold writing award winners. They were supposed to have someone famous (I think it was a newscaster) give the main speech, but they were sick so they had an actor instead. Finally, a well-known singer (I so under a rock and don't know her name) sang. Sorry you weren't able to come :-\

[Zirngibism]

As someone who judges this competition, I would highly recommend that people enter it. They have money galore for scholarships and if you've got what it takes to impress the judges (and they're from all walks of life and perspectives), you could go home with some decent cash for your education.

Awesome! Was it the national contest? What category did you judge? (Drawing, I'm guessing).

I hear (at least for the national judges) it's really stressful. That they'll flash up people's work, and judges have like 2 seconds to say "out" or "in". Is that what it's like? Yikes... I could never do that...

[toastertoaster]

UGH. lol...i was planning on submitting a portfolio but i don't knowwww.... if only i knew about this sooner! the DEADLINE IS NEXT WEEK ahhhhhhhh... should i still go for it? or just submit the 3 pieces i was going to submit anyways.. meh! damn you scholastic! haha...

[Zirngibism]

UGH. lol...i was planning on submitting a portfolio but i don't knowwww.... if only i knew about this sooner! the DEADLINE IS NEXT WEEK ahhhhhhhh... should i still go for it? or just submit the 3 pieces i was going to submit anyways.. meh! damn you scholastic! haha...

Well, since you're allowed to dig up work from past years, you could do that if you think you have 5 relatively strong pieces. If you don't, then you should probably go with the 3 as separate ones. I can understand if you had 6 or 7 and slapped something together in a week to complete it, but 4 probably is too much to cram in...

(Unless you're entering digital photography or something :tihi:)

[•Lindsay•]

Are you serious? I was told I could only submit 1 piece that had been done in the year I submitted it. Damn.

edit: Ok, I actually read the rest of the thread.
[SIZE="2"][U][I]
From my experience, if you enter things most appreciated by this website, your chance of winning a [B]gold national portfolio is pretty much nothing. The judges tend to heavily favor a "fine artsy" portfolio- no "illustration-type" stuff. They are also looking for consistency-- just about every single example of a national gold portfolio winner I've seen is made in the same medium, with the same type of subject matter, the same style, etc... They're looking for someone who's "found their voice", not even someone who's a "master of all trades". At least this is what I've seen with the winners of the last several years.I never submitted a portfolio (and my art teacher never told me that was a possibility) but during the year I won a gold key, (2003 I think) I noticed that most of the other gold keys where self portraits. Mine was also a self portrait. I don't recall very much abstract stuff. If they have different standards for portfolios than they do for individual pieces, that's a bit strange.

[bLux]

My computer art teacher said she submitted something of mine to it, is there a way to see the submissions? I was never asked for my email or phone number by her, so I'm assuming she used her information...but I'd like to see if it is submitted.

[•Lindsay•]

If she used your information you gotta sue her.

[bluefruitbowl]

I'm in Region-at-Large, cause MD doesn't have a region-thing.

[realitychek]

I entered one work in the region at large, next year I'll do up a portfolio

[incubus_272727]

schoastics is bogus...the people who jjudge the work are art illiterate and have no clue good art when it kicks them in the ass...don't even waste your time with scholastics....it is ignorant and worthless...
By The Way the is the AMAZING project i submitted that got rejected...it's titled New Beginning and EVERYONE i have talked to said i should have gotten in..and now i'm sending hate mail to scholastics like crazy...there s no way in hell that they are gonna not notice me...it's actually a picture i took with my crappy digital camera so the quality isn't AMAZING but it is amazing in person...

http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f121/mrsflyingtomato/?action=view&current=DSCI2620.jpg

[Meloncov]

I'm not sure if your joking or are seriously deluded.

[incubus_272727]

what are yo talking about...i'm not crazy...i'm not nessicarly saying it should go to nationals but regionals deffinatly...and i stand by my opinion bout scholastics...i thought this before they reject my work...

[Zirngibism]

incubus, you can't say any competition is bogus because of any individual case. Every single contest can easily be disputed with an example work-- if you say that about Scholastic, you should spread that to the entire art world.

From seeing a lot of scholastic work, my experience is that they shy away from graphic design unless it's placed in a certain category. If you put that into their photography category, it's not that surprising that it'd get rejected. They want more principles of design, something to make your eye move around the page, more than they want a certain linear statement.

I'm not downplaying your work, but just saying it might've been put in the wrong place.

[incubus_272727]

well I have ALWAYS thought that scholastics was bogus(and for those of you who wonder then why did i submit to them, well my teacher made me)....but the intese anger that i have was fuled from this incident but i have hated scholastics since i was in 6th grade...they pick the EXACT same things EVERY year, and quite frankly i think it is borning....and yes i do think that a majority of the art world is bogus, not just scholastics...but again with recent events this has fuled my anger....oh and i didn't submit this in photography are you crazy! I know th would be a deffinat out cause those images are copywrited, my teacher told me i should submit it to mixed media so i did....


:rocker:

[Zirngibism]

well I have ALWAYS thought that scholastics was bogus(and for those of you who wonder then why did i submit to them, well my teacher made me)....but the intese anger that i have was fuled from this incident but i have hated scholastics since i was in 6th grade...they pick the EXACT same things EVERY year, and quite frankly i think it is borning....and yes i do think that a majority of the art world is bogus, not just scholastics...but again with recent events this has fuled my anger....oh and i didn't submit this in photography are you crazy! I know th would be a deffinat out cause those images are copywrited, my teacher told me i should submit it to mixed media so i did....


:rocker:

Ok, I misread your post when you said you used a digital camera I thought you somehow retook those images with your camera and manipulated them in photoshop and submitted it under digital photography, so I sincerely apologize...

And yes, scholastics is rather consistent with the styles they favor, and I think they tend to choose a LOT of self-portraits. But then again, teens are obsessed with themselves so as a whole they tend to DO a lot of self-portraits. Perhaps what you're reading as a bad selection of work is actually just an accurate sample of teen art?

But anyway I think you should vent your rage on the art world or perhaps art competitions as a whole instead of dumping it on Scholastics, and move on already.

[•Lindsay•]

Do teenagers really like to do self portraits? Teenagers are covered in pimples, braces, and insecurity. I think teachers assign a lot of self portraits because they know those win. My teacher even had me stay after school until after dark to work on mine. I was told I couldn't submit anything that hadn't been a school assignment so I doubt the things that are submitted to scholastic have to do with the applicant's taste.

[Zirngibism]

Do teenagers really like to do self portraits? Teenagers are covered in pimples, braces, and insecurity. I think teachers assign a lot of self portraits because they know those win. My teacher even had me stay after school until after dark to work on mine. I was told I couldn't submit anything that hadn't been a school assignment so I doubt the things that are submitted to scholastic have to do with the applicant's taste.

And at least what was hot in my area in all of the teen contests (not just Scholastic) was for teens to take a "cool myspace-style" of themselves, make it super-high contrast in Photoshop (therefore erasing any zits or other imperfections) and paint it from the printout. (ugh)

Perhaps the reason why teens make so many self-portraits varies from place to place. In my high school, we weren't really assigned to do any self-portraits except once, but as soon as we had AP art (where people could choose their concentration), almost my entire class chose to make their concentrations revolve around portraits of themselves. I always attributed it to the cliched "finding one's self" phase.

[Odyism]

>__> I just missed the deadline for the award.
I could have sworn that the deadline for the Region at Large was January 17th. I knew I have should have submitted my portfolio last week X__X;

[•Lindsay•]

That's pretty weird. My school never had ap art so I don't really know what people would have done on their own.

[bluefruitbowl]

Oh, man, Odyism, yeah RAL was due the 11th. My consolations.

[Storyboard Dave]

Awesome! Was it the national contest? What category did you judge? (Drawing, I'm guessing).

I hear (at least for the national judges) it's really stressful. That they'll flash up people's work, and judges have like 2 seconds to say "out" or "in". Is that what it's like? Yikes... I could never do that...

I've judged multiple regionals and Nationals.

It is extremely stressful. Depending on the category, there an be well over 1200 entries. I just got done doing one category in Senior Drawing where there were nearly 900 pieces- with 21 gold keys given out, 80+ silver keys, about 120+ certificates and three sponsored awards.

Myself and four other judges were in a huge room with four student helpers (no high school instructors were allowed in the room because of possible tampering or interference). There were literally piles upon piles of work to which we had to cull through. We had to do initial stages of sorting- with the initial one of our group looking at each individual piece for a few seconds. If a majority YES vote was given- it stayed, a majority NO given, it was passed down the pipe and onto a waiting cart to be taken back to a sorting area to be delivered back to their respective high schools.

Each of the judges then chose their top 10 pieces they thought had merit. Out of those fifty, the gold keys were chosen. The latter were dropped to silver. We had to pick the next tier and the sorting process started all over again for the silver as was for the certificates.

This was OUR select way of choosing THIS time. I've been in other situations where the criteria to choose was different. It's left up to the judges to figure out the best and most effective way to choose the best work. We were given a criteria to choose the best work. We disagreed on many chosen and agreed on others; diplomacy is a must when it comes to this judging. Individual tastes and personalities do not always mesh. It's exhausting physically and emotionally. The other judges were also industry professionals- many of which had won when they were in high school, and are now working artists in their own right.

This process took well over 7 hours to do.

Is it the most fair? Were certain quality pieces passed over at times? Were certain stellar pieces gotten in? Of course this happens- at Scholastics and every other art competition. Alas this is not an Olympic sprint where there is a clear cut decisive winner that can be measured by who crossed the finish line first. This competition is judged by caring human beings who take time out of our days to do this. We are fallible. We have our own likes & dislikes. We, as a team of judges try our very best to come up with what we think is the best work by highly talented and motivated students.

Even if a person doesn't merit a certificate, a silver or gold key- it no way speaks to them of their drive and ambition. Their pieces just did not strike a chord with the judges that particular day; it does not mean that on another day or with another panel of judges, it couldn't have won it all.

To all those who have entered and succeeded- Congratulations! I sincerely hope this is a boost to your career and ambitions to be an artist. And to those who did not win but still competed- do not walk away defeated; keep striving and working hard. Art is not a one time thing and is a lifetime of learning and expanding of the mind and soul. An extended bravo to the high school art teachers, counselors and parents that encourage their students to enter this contest- none of this would be possible without you.

[Zirngibism]

Thanks! Mind if I put this on the first post of this thread?

(I'm going to interpret no reply as a yes... :wink:)

[Storyboard Dave]

Thanks! Mind if I put this on the first post of this thread?

(I'm going to interpret no reply as a yes... :wink:)

Easy there... give me a day or two to reply at least!


But yes, you can post it. Do realize that this is just ONE of my experiences judging. Depending on the amount of work, the other judges and other criteria- there have been different formats in judging. But our main goal has always been to choose what we feel is to be the best of the best.

We are not allowed to look at the names written on the back, know the instructors who shepherded the piece along, or have contact with the volunteer instructors during the judging. We try to be as impartial as can be and uphold the rules set forth by the executive committee.

It's tough work and far from an exact science, but we try our very best.

[thesinfulsaint]

I just checked my e-mail, and there was a notice from the Scholastic Art & Writing awards about beginning their selection process for 2008... and my drawing was featured at the side! Woo hoo!

Sorry for tooting my own horn here, but I didn't know where else to post this. I was so excited!

[sishir]

i have been awarded the gold key, does this mean im going to be reviewed for nationals?

oh dont look at my sketchbook if you dont want to see it (incase you do judge).

[Sheich]

I got my Silver key from Boston a couple months ago... BIG LETDOWN... when the award is given out to 1000 (just for silver key) other kids it loses it value... and the actual award is smaller than my thumb....not to be materialistic.


Anyways, that was my rant, don't take it too seriously. Umm... I was interested though in getting scholarships through the award and.... I'm just not seeing any opportunities to flash it around. Any suggestions on where i should be looking?


Also BTW Hello everyone! First time newbie post here... let the party start :inject:

[5coop]

only for americans? Im italian and live in tokyo...

[Storyboard Dave]

I got my Silver key from Boston a couple months ago... BIG LETDOWN... when the award is given out to 1000 (just for silver key) other kids it loses it value... and the actual award is smaller than my thumb....not to be materialistic.

Anyways, that was my rant, don't take it too seriously. Umm... I was interested though in getting scholarships through the award and.... I'm just not seeing any opportunities to flash it around. Any suggestions on where i should be looking?

Also BTW Hello everyone! First time newbie post here... let the party start :inject:

Realistically don't look at the size of the actual award as far as what it really means. Without really knowing what the numbers are in your area, it could be a huge accomplishment.

I judge several regions here and there are regions that I have to cull over several thousand pieces in order to select a few pieces. It's not as easy as you think it is to get selected; have some measure of pride in the fact you got selected.

As far as winning any sort of award, play it cool. No need to be flashing it about. Be humble about it; the people who matter will recognize it for what it's worth. No need to go around flashing it off because quite honestly there are others that do just as good if not better at any other given moment. Have a sense of quiet pride about it and keep working hard. You've been rewarded for the hard work you've put in now but there's still plenty more ahead for you too.

[Queen Nehalania]

God, I should check these things more often! I've already missed the deadlines and I don't think I'll have a chance for it again because I'm a senior and I'll be graduating in June.

*sigh*

[Zirngibism]

I got my Silver key from Boston a couple months ago... BIG LETDOWN... when the award is given out to 1000 (just for silver key) other kids it loses it value... and the actual award is smaller than my thumb....not to be materialistic.


Anyways, that was my rant, don't take it too seriously. Umm... I was interested though in getting scholarships through the award and.... I'm just not seeing any opportunities to flash it around. Any suggestions on where i should be looking?


Also BTW Hello everyone! First time newbie post here... let the party start :inject:


You're talking about the local level- you should be looking in the national level (requires gold at local) for scholarships, especially with the portfolio awards.

If you weren't a senior this year, work over the summer on a portfolio. Don't just rely on school assignments. Try to build a somewhat consistent body of work.

And to be materialistic the national one is about the size of your palm and silvers are real silver plating and I think the same for gold but I'm no expert.

[Candras]

I'm going to be a senior after this summer, I better get to drawing

[Killasandra]

Hey, I heard about this and I was thinkin about entering, and I was wondering if they judge by age, like 7th graders in one pile, 10th in another and so on, or if they are only grouped together as a category and judged from there. Just a thought.

[Meloncov]

Hey, I heard about this and I was thinkin about entering, and I was wondering if they judge by age, like 7th graders in one pile, 10th in another and so on, or if they are only grouped together as a category and judged from there. Just a thought.

They do for individual piece awards, but I think there is only one portfolio award.

[Psypomp]

I'll be a senior this year, and I'm really considering doing this. However, I'm not sure what to put in my portfolio-- should I just have one cohesive theme throughout each piece using the same media, or could I get away with putting in maybe one sculpture piece, or even a small movie? You guys suggested just sticking to, say, painting rather than choosing an array of media. Even if the submissions are strong, will the mish-mash hurt my chances of winning?

[Storyboard Dave]

Hey, I heard about this and I was thinkin about entering, and I was wondering if they judge by age, like 7th graders in one pile, 10th in another and so on, or if they are only grouped together as a category and judged from there. Just a thought.

Yes, there are separate categories; depending on your age group, there is a junior category for middle schoolers and a senior category for students in high school. It is a bit of a slight disadvantage for the 9th graders because they have to compete with graduating seniors (who should be that much better) but that's way the category breaks down.

[Storyboard Dave]

I'll be a senior this year, and I'm really considering doing this. However, I'm not sure what to put in my portfolio-- should I just have one cohesive theme throughout each piece using the same media, or could I get away with putting in maybe one sculpture piece, or even a small movie? You guys suggested just sticking to, say, painting rather than choosing an array of media. Even if the submissions are strong, will the mish-mash hurt my chances of winning?

Some judges will like your diversity and some judges will score you lower for not having a cohesive voice with your artwork.

My personal suggestion would be to have a blend of the two- have a cohesive voice with different mediums. Again, that's my two cents worth... some judges might disagree with me but what it really comes down to is who's looking at the work and what their personal preferences are. What worked one year might not win in another; unfortunately there isn't a proven formula in winning big other than doing you very best work and trying to catch a judge's eye.

Good luck!

[Psypomp]

Thanks, Dave. I think it's really great that someone with your experience is helping to answer our questions. Hopefully your info has inspired a few of us to go ahead and try entering this contest.

[Storyboard Dave]

Thanks, Dave. I think it's really great that someone with your experience is helping to answer our questions. Hopefully your info has inspired a few of us to go ahead and try entering this contest.

And even if you don't win the biggest of prizes or scholarships, it still gets you to put in a few more pieces into your college entrance portfolio.

Just because the judges at Scholastics don't like your piece, it still doesn't mean it's not a stellar piece. Just remember that the people who are judging are human too and we all have personal preferences. The Admissions folks at the art schools have preferences too and you might click with one of them and get scholarships that way.

It's never a bad thing to try hard.

[Incendia]

I've read through the guidelines and FAQs, and I may have missed something, but does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of submissions you can send?

[Zirngibism]

I've read through the guidelines and FAQs, and I may have missed something, but does anyone know if there is a limit on the number of submissions you can send?

I don't think there's a personal limit on individual pieces, but your school does have a limit.
My high school couldn't submit any more than 32 pieces. I'm assuming the limit is based somehow on the school's population (Mine had about 2,000 students).

So, basically, if you don't have many other students who are serious about art in your school, you can probably enter as many pieces as you want. But it's possibly your teacher may require everyone in your class to enter at least one piece or something, which would likely limit how much you could put in.
I put 10 in my Sophomore year, because nobody else was too interested.
But, remember, this applies to the contest for individual pieces.

You can submit a portfolio if you're a senior, BUT this is limited to 1 portfolio per student. And I also found out (the hard way) that one student cannot submit both a traditional art AND a photography portfolio (though I'm glad about that because my photography was utter crap)

[BubbaGump]

Does anyone know any additional information about the new Graphic Story category? It looks interesting, I might give it a shot.

[Jasper_]

So the deadline for my region was the 8th of January. I hope my art teacher got everything submitted by then...does anyone know when and how they notify you if you've won anything?? I just talked to one of my friends today, he said he's heard by word of mouth that his peice won a gold medal, which is pretty outstanding.

[Storyboard Dave]

Does anyone know any additional information about the new Graphic Story category? It looks interesting, I might give it a shot.

As someone who got asked to judge in this category, one of the biggest criteria that I will want (and this could be completely different depending on who the judges are) is some sense of linear storytelling. It shouldn't just be a montage of images without any semblance, rhyme or reason. It needs to be able to progress and have a time quotient to it- whether it be as something as simple as a person walking from Point A to B or have some sort of beginning and end to it. Traditionally this sort of subject matter has been comic strips and graphic novels, but I hope the other judges that will be judging this category will be open minded to accept other forms of Graphic Story.

Again, that's my take on what I expect from the entrants in this category. Your regional judge or even the national judges might have a different and opposing viewpoint- but then that's always been the nature of having work juried.

Good luck with your pieces!

[Storyboard Dave]

Just wondering if anyone has won any scholarships from Scholastics yet.

Anyone??

[Pixie Trick]

Well, I've submitted some stuff, but I don't think they're done regional judging yet, or maybe they're just sorting out apaerwork etc. at this point. There's nothing on their website about winners and all the work is up from last year. They have a little blurb about a end of year ceremony for 2010, but that's it.

I'm getting sooooooo nervous. They sent me an email about having an incorrect address, and since they only notify winners, I'm hoping it's a good sign. :\

[Praemium]

I submitted 4 pieces to ARAL, so I'm still waiting rather anxiously to hear back, and supposedly won't know until late March...

I still don't really know what exactly they are looking for in the artwork, so I submitted my paintings of still-lifes/landscapes done in alla prima. It was pretty much all fine artsy, and I feel kinda bad now, because I think they were looking for more originality vs. technique. Oh well.. :(

I've also heard gold key is extremely difficult to win at region-at-large, but I'm the first applicant from my school, and with no guidance, I have felt kinda lost through this whole process.

[Pixie Trick]

I'm the same -the first from my school. I had never heard of this competition, and neither had my teacher, until I saw it here. I'm from Canada, so the application process was very, very, very confusing. We have different postal codes etc. so things were interesting to say the least.

[Praemium]

I never actually heard back from my teacher... But did receieve a delightful package saying that I won an ARAL gold key in painting. I've heard that some kids already know national results. Until the package came, I'd pretty much given up all hope...

[PlernNorproto]

Reverend Boyle,

What happens though is that when an accomplished player is forced to choose
which is more important, the furtherance of his USCF Rating, or winning a specific
school age section. The result being that the winner of the school age section
is truly champion only because of the abdication of stronger players. I have a
hard time understanding who is served in not having a forum in which a young
scholastic player can accomplish both objectives.
Reverend Boyle,

What happens though is that when an accomplished player is forced to choose
which is more important, the furtherance of his USCF Rating, or winning a specific
school age section. The result being that the winner of the school age section
is truly champion only because of the abdication of stronger players. I have a
hard time understanding who is served in not having a forum in which a young
scholastic player can accomplish both objectives.

Secondly, I do not know about Oklahoma, but I do know that there are
many chessmoms who simply abhor the idea of little Jimmy playing Huge
Johnny. The idea that age and chess ability are quite often nonconcurrent
has not entered their minds. In Texas we simply do not allow kids to "play-up"
in Regionals, or State events, past their own grade level sections. This means
that the High School State Champion is in fact a High School Student.
Secondly, I do not know about Oklahoma, but I do know that there are
many chessmoms who simply abhor the idea of little Jimmy playing Huge
Johnny. The idea that age and chess ability are quite often nonconcurrent
has not entered their minds. In Texas we simply do not allow kids to "play-up"
in Regionals, or State events, past their own grade level sections. This means
that the High School State Champion is in fact a High School Student.
Rob Jones
Denton, Texas

[ChesterNH]

These Scholastic Scholarships can have benefits beyond just the recognition you receive. The organization has many relationships with colleges that provide other scholarship support. For example, we provided a $3000 scholarship for our summer ACE program at Chester College of New England to a Gold Key recipient. Many other colleges are supportive as well. I believe, for instance, RISD, Parsons and I think Pratt all cooperate. I know that is just a start. Year ago, I taught AP Art and I know those applications can be not fun, so to speak, but there could be a nice pay off if you have done really well.

Also, I have been a judge at the regional level. There is no perfect equation for winning. It is a panel of judges, and there may be a little difference among decisions. Some time ago, similar to art schools seeking very classic portfolios, there is been more acceptance of conceptual work. In fact, it can get a good bit of attention. Still, strong fundamentals will never (hopefully) go out of style. You just have to enter. It is good practice for preparing for submissions the rest of your life.

Good luck!!!