Many studies have found that artistic and creative explorations, such as drawing and painting, spark brain development, develop language and motor skills, improve emotional intelligence, and boost social wellbeing. More importantly, when students are encouraged to express themselves creatively, they develop healthy self-esteem and individual identity. In our opinion, art education should not be a luxury, but an essential building block of student development.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive list of art competitions for students of all ages. Through art competitions, students will flex their artistic muscles, sharpen their creative senses, and have the opportunity to observe, assess, and learn from other budding artists. Of course, winning a prize or acclaim will boost a stronger sense of confidence and greater enthusiasm in this field, which may encourage the student to consider a professional career in art and design. Participating in art competitions is also an excellent way to build portfolios. For students interested in pursuing an art or design major, art portfolio is the single most important factor in admissions. For other students, art portfolios can also complement their application as a showcase of extracurricular pursuits, giving them an edge to stand out.
Scholastic Art Awards
Category: 17 art categories, from drawing and illustration, digital art, mixed media, to painting
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Prize: $1,000 to $10,000
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up)
Doodle for Google
Category: Painting and drawing
Subject/topic: Given by Google and changes each year
Prize: $5,000 to $30,000
Deadline: March
Eligibility: Grades K-12
Ocean Awareness Contest
Category: Visual and performing arts, film, multimedia
Subject/topic: Ocean and environment focused
Prize: $1,500
Deadline: June
Eligibility: Ages 11-18
Toyota Dream Car USA Art Contest
Category: 10 categories, including design arts and visual arts
Subject/topic: Dream car
Prize: $250 to $750
Deadline: Usually between fall and January
Eligibility: Ages: 4-15
NASA Commercial Crew Artwork Contest
Category: Painting and drawing
Subject/topic: Rockets and spacecraft, living and working in space, exploring the solar system, and astronauts
Deadline: October
Eligibility: Ages 4-12
NASA Langley Art Contest
Category: Painting and drawing
Subject/topic: Given by NASA and changes each year
Deadline: December
Eligibility: Grades K-12
New York Times Visual Art Contest
Category: Any visual art, from drawing and illustration, digital art, mixed media, to painting
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Deadline: Each fall
Eligibility: Grades 6-12
National PTA Reflections Art Contest
Category: Painting, drawing, and digital creations
Subject/topic: Given by National PTA and changes every year
Deadline: October
Eligibility: Grades PreK-12
YoungArts
Category: 10 categories, including design arts and visual arts
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Deadline: Opens each June
Eligibility: Grades 10-12 or ages 15-18
US Kids Magazine’s Cover Contest
Category: Painting and drawing
Subject/topic: Given by the magazine and changes each year
Prize: $100 to $500
Deadline: February
Eligibility: Ages 2-12
ShinHan Postcard Art Contest
Category: Painting and drawing
Subject/topic: Given by ShinHan and changes each year
Prize: $100 to $1,000
Deadline: May
Eligibility: Ages 4-18
ActivityHero’s Art Contest
Category: Painting, drawing, digital creation, and 3D structure
Subject/topic: Given by ActivityHero and changes each year
Prize: $150 to $400
Deadline: July and August
Eligibility: Ages 4-17
CelebratingArt
Category: Painting, drawing, collage, digital art
Subject/topic: Free to choose
Prize: $25
Deadline: April, August, and December
Eligibility: Grades K-12