SCHOLASTIC ART COMPETITION 

What are The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards? 
The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a national nonprofit organization, was established in 1994 to provide guidance and support for the next generation. The Alliance fosters the creative development of youth across the country through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program, involving over 75,000 students in grades 7 – 12 each year. 

The process begins as young artists and writers submit more than 100,000 creative works to a network of Regional Affiliates that locally administer the awards. The most outstanding works from each of the regions are then sent to New York to be judged on a national level. Since 1923, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have encouraged more than 13 million students, recognized more than 2.5 million young artists and writers, and distributed more than $25 million in awards and scholarships. 

For the 20th consecutive year, Cheekwood is proud to partner with the Alliance to host the regional competition and exhibition for Middle Tennessee. Regional winners are eligible for scholarships and cash prizes, are part of the exhibition in Cheekwood’s Museum of Art, and have their work sent to New York City for national judging. 

Who Is Eligible?
Students in grades 7-12 may submit exemplary visual artwork, newly created from January 2010 to January 2011. The student must reside in the counties of Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, or Wilson. Artwork should be pre-juried by the school art teacher.

When? 
Submission Deadline:
All submissions must be received between Wednesday, January 5 and Saturday, January 8 at Cheekwood’s Learning Center. Please Note: Work will be accepted by appointment only on Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8. All schools submitting more than 15 works of art must make an appointment by calling 615-353-9827.

Regional Celebration & Exhibition:
Ceremony: Saturday, January 29
(Alternate date in the event of inclement weather: Saturday, February 5)
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37205

Exhibition: Friday, January 28 – Sunday, February 20
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art
1200 Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37205

How Do I Enter? 
Participants and teachers must register at http://www.artandwriting.org/registration.  Please print 2 copies of the completed submission form and obtain required signatures.

Students should discuss their interest in the competition with their school art teacher. Students attending schools that are not participating may enter independently.

See below for Art Category Descriptions and Special Instructions.

Submission Guidelines
Please pay close attention to the submission guidelines outlined below.

ENTRY CATEGORIES:
Enter your school’s zip code at http://www.artandwriting.org/SubmissionGuidelines/Index to see a list and description of all entry categories.
Note: Categories have been revised from 2010. Check the website for new additions and changes.

SIZE LIMITATIONS:
Set by the national office of The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
• Two-dimensional artwork should not exceed 48 inches in any direction and, in general, the largest 2-D work that is eligible is 36" x 48".
• Three-dimensional artwork should not exceed 18" x 18" x 36" in dimensions and should not exceed 30 pounds in weight. Individual works that exceed the size limitations may be disqualified. 

MATTING REQUIREMENTS:
Because 2D Gold Key winning artwork will be professionally framed by Cheekwood for exhibition, certain matting requirements apply.
• All 2D flat artwork must be matted in a bright white standard mat. No poster or railroad board will be accepted.
• All 2D flat artwork will only be accepted if matted to fit one of the following finished frame sizes: 12x16, 12x18, 16x22, 18x24, 22x28, 24x36. Pieces that are larger than 24x36 do not have to be matted. However, these pieces will need to have a rigid backer-board for support.
• All pieces must have a backer-board, such as cardboard or chipboard, for support. Please attach the artwork securely to the backer board.
• Canvases, Canvas Boards, and 3D pieces do not need to be matted.
• Please do not wrap artwork in acetate or other clear material. If needed, attach temporary cover to artwork with one strip of removable tape. The cover will remain on the piece for protection, but must be removed when judged, photographed, and framed. 

Please note: Artwork not adhering to the above regional submission guidelines can be submitted to be judged. However, if the piece wins a Gold Key award, it will not be displayed in the Cheekwood exhibition but will be sent to New York for national adjudication.

For a list of vendors selling pre-cut mats in the required sizes, click here.

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIOS:
All portfolios must be submitted as digital files on CD-ROM. Students will also preselect and turn in with the portfolio packet one piece for Gold Award exhibition, matted as specified above. This piece is for exhibition only and not individual competition. Review the Portfolio Submission Guidelines in the ‘Regional Guidelines and Deadlines’ section at http://www.artandwriting.org/registration for specific instructions on portfolio entries.

ENTRY FEES:
$5.00 per individual entry; $20.00 per portfolio

ENTRY FORMS:
In addition to the individual entry forms for each piece of artwork (provided at the completion of online registration), each school must submit the following inventory forms at the time of check-in:
1 – Teacher/Class Inventory Form: lists each work of art submitted by an individual instructor
2 – School Inventory Form: lists the collective totals from each Teacher/Class Inventory Form from the same school
All Teacher/Class Inventory Forms must be presented with (1) collective School Inventory Form at the time of check-in.

You can also view the regional guidelines online at
http://www.artandwriting.org/SubmissionGuidelines/Index.

Qustions?

Login to www.artandwriting.org and check the ‘Regional Guidelines and Deadlines’ or ‘Tech Support’ tabs for more information.

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Contact the Education & Public Programs Department at 615-353-9827 or education@cheekwood.org.  

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