Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Submission Window Now Open!
Last year for the first time, Warren County Public Library served as affiliate partner for the South Central Kentucky Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative youth. In addition to promoting the contest locally and regionally and coordinating the art and writing adjudication processes last fall, the library hosted a gallery of the participants’ art and writing pieces in the spring at The Capitol as well as an awards ceremony for 2026 silver and gold key winners.
Many unique, creative entries were received during the last contest cycle, and we celebrated with all participants, highlighting the region’s silver key award winners and the gold key winners who advanced to the national awards stage. Of particular note, from last season’s national “American Visions” and “American Voices” awards, two of the 44 winners hailed from this region, and another of the regional winners received a national silver medal! As a new awards cycle has now begun, we look forward to seeing – and applauding – all of the creativity that will be submitted.
“We are so excited to continue getting the word out to the teens in our region and see all of the art and writing they come up with this year! Last year we had over 250 pieces submitted and displayed at The Capitol, and truly it’s incredible the talent, skill and vision that we are seeing!” says Léa Schenk, Capitol/SOKY Center lead and member of the region’s awards team.
The submission window opened October 1 for teens in grades 7 through 12 (ages 13 to 18) to enter their art or writing for the chance to win recognition, publication, exhibition, and up to $10,000 in scholarships. The competition is open to local Bowling Green/Warren County students, as well as to those in Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Christian, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hart, Logan, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, and Washington counties.
To assist those who might like or need a little guidance in the process, WCPL will host free workshops for teens to provide feedback, advice, or help with the admissions portal. Those will be scheduled on alternating Thursday afternoons this fall at two of our locations. October 8 and November 12 workshops will take place at the Bob Kirby Branch, while October 22 and December 10 sessions will take place at The Capitol. They will begin at 3:30pm and last one hour.
The process of submitting art or writing pieces begins by creating an account at artandwriting.org then uploading their piece(s) digitally using the online portal (artwork entries should be submitted as digital photos of the work). The entry fee is $15 per entered piece. Seniors can submit a portfolio, with an entry fee of $40. Submissions will be accepted through December 20, and regional winners will be announced January 29, 2027.
There are numerous categories for art and writing entries, including the following:
Art categories:
•Architecture & Industrial Design
•Art Portfolio (graduating seniors only)
•Ceramics & Glass
•Comic Art
•Conceptual, Installation & Participatory Art
•Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage
•Drawing
•Editorial Cartoon
•Experimental Photography
•Fashion
•Film & Animation
•Graphic Design
•Illustration
•Jewelry
•Mixed Media
•Painting
•Photography
•Printmaking
•Sculpture
Writing categories:
•Critical Essay
•Flash Fiction
•Journalism
•Novel
•Personal Essay & Memoir
•Poetry
•Screenplays & Scripts
•Short Story
•Speculative Fiction
•Writing Portfolio (graduating seniors only)
Because Scholastic is committed to a non-censorship policy, any subject matter or ideology will be accepted. Each piece should be entirely unique and not a derivative of other original creative works, and plagiarism will not be accepted. Additionally, these types of entries will not be accepted for consideration either: fan art, prequels/sequels to works already written, celebrity portraits, photos of models or subjects who have not explicitly provided permission for the use of their likeness, and works based on photographs taken by someone else.
This regional awards ceremony will take place next spring, on March 13, 2027. Any updates or additional announcements will be listed on the library’s website (https://warrenpl.org/scholastic) and posted to social media (Facebook and Instagram: @warrencountypl and @capitolbg). If you are a local artist or writer and interested in participating in the judging process, email scholastic@warrenpl.org. Questions about the awards process can be directed there, as well.
-by Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content Manager
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