If you’re a high school student interested in art, competitions offer a way to test your skills against a national or international field. They offer structured environments that let you engage with real creative challenges in a controlled setting, exposing you to a broader scope of approaches within your chosen medium. Whether you want to develop a cohesive portfolio across multiple pieces, write artist statements that articulate your intent, work within specific media constraints, or respond to a conceptual brief with a theme you have to interpret on your own terms, all sorts of competitions are available.
Why should you participate in art competitions for high school students?
Many art competitions also expose you to jury feedback and critique from working professionals, which differs from classroom critique in both tone and expectation. They are a good way to learn and practice skills like resolving a composition at scale, defending your artistic choices in writing, selecting representative work for a portfolio review, and navigating submission standards. Some competitions also include exhibition components, which means you’ll experience what it’s like to have your work exist in a public context, viewed by audiences who have no prior relationship with you or your process.
With that, here are 15 art competitions for high school students that you should check out!
You can also check out this guide on summer art programs for high schoolers.
1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Location: Nationwide, with the National Awards Week being held in New York City
Cost/Awards: Entry fee of $10 per individual work, $30 per portfolio | National Medalists are eligible for scholarships of up to $12,500
Acceptance Rate: Gold Key recipients represent under 5% of regional entries, and fewer than 1% of all entries earn national-level gold or silver medals
Dates: October 1 – June 11; National Awards Week: June 9 – 11
Application Deadline: Regional deadlines begin December 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12, ages 13 and older, and residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is the longest-running and most widely entered recognition program for teen artists in the United States. In this contest, you will submit original work in one or more of 29 categories, ranging from Drawing & Illustration and Painting to Ceramics & Glass, Experimental Photography, and Film & Animation. Your work is first reviewed at the regional level by panels affiliated with local arts institutions, and those earning Gold Keys advance to national adjudication by industry professionals. National Medalists are honored at a ceremony in New York City each June, and selected works are exhibited publicly. The program also offers scholarship nominations, including the American Visions Medal and Best-in-Grade distinctions.
2. YoungArts National Arts Competition
Location: Virtual submission; Winners with distinction attend the National YoungArts Week in Miami, FL
Cost/Awards: Free | Cash awards range from $250 to $10,000 per winner
Cohort Size: 734 winners were named in the previous cycle, representing 39 states and D.C.
Dates: The National YoungArts Week: January 4 – 11
Application Deadline: October 8
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (ages 15-18) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
YoungArts is one of the most selective arts competitions in the country, recognizing exceptional young artists across 10 disciplines, including visual arts, photography, design, film, writing, classical music, dance, jazz, theater, and voice. You will submit a portfolio of 10 images representing 8-10 works made within the last two years, along with written responses to artistic questions; judging will be based on both technical rigor and creative execution. Applications are evaluated through a multi-round blind adjudication process by panels of working artists specific to each discipline. As a winner with distinction, you will get to attend National YoungArts Week, a week-long intensive in Miami where you will take master classes and workshops with internationally recognized artists. All award winners also gain lifetime access to the YoungArts Post, an online portal with fellowships, residencies, and microgrant opportunities, and will be required to complete the YoungARC financial literacy program before receiving their cash award.
3. Congressional Art Competition
Location: Submissions to the district’s representatives’ offices; Winning works are displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Awards: Free to enter | Awards offered
Cohort Size: 1 winner selected per participating congressional district, from over 400 districts
Dates: Spring competition cycle; District deadlines generally fall between late March and late April
Application Deadline: Varies by congressional district; Districts need to submit their winners to the Congressional Institute by May 1
Eligibility: High school students residing in a participating congressional district
Established in 1982 and sponsored by the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Congressional Art Competition has involved more than 650,000 students over its history. To participate, you will submit one original two-dimensional work, including paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, or photographs, which will be judged at the district level by local panels of artists and educators. Each participating Member of Congress will select one winner to represent their district. The winning artwork is then displayed in the Cannon Tunnel or a comparable Capitol building corridor for nearly a year, viewed by Members of Congress, staff, and hundreds of thousands of visitors. This competition is particularly notable for its civic dimension as your work enters a public, politically significant space and is also featured on House.gov.
4. Doodle for Google
Location: Virtual
Cost/Awards: Free to enter | 5 national finalists: $10,000 college scholarship, a Chromebook, and their doodle displayed on Google; National Winner: an additional $45,000 scholarship + a $50,000 technology package for their school or non-profit of choice
Acceptance Rate: Extremely competitive
Dates: The contest opens in October, and entries can be submitted till the deadline
Application Deadline: December 17
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and permanent residents in grades K-12 enrolled in a school in the U.S. or its territories
Doodle for Google invites K-12 students to redesign the Google logo around an annual theme. You can use any visual medium for your doodle, including traditional drawing and painting, sculpture (photographed), collage, or digital illustration. You submit it as a .png or .jpeg file along with a short written statement explaining your creative choices. Judging is based on artistic skill, creativity, originality, and the effectiveness with which the theme is communicated through both the visual work and the written description. Judges are prominent personalities, with the 2025-2026 judging panel including NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo and National Teacher of the Year Ashley Crosson. Five finalists are selected, and their doodles will appear on Google’s homepage; public voting will determine which of the five becomes the National Winner.
5. ARTEFFECT Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost/Awards: Free to enter | Grand prize: $6,000, Best in Show: $3,000, Second Place: $2,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely competitive; Around 30 winners from thousands of students across 40+ countries
Dates: October 1 – April 21
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-12 in the U.S. and internationally
ARTEFFECT invites middle and high school students to create original visual art inspired by the story of an approved “Unsung Hero,” a historical figure who made a significant impact on others but remains largely unrecognized. You will select your subject from the Lowell Milken Center’s Unsung Heroes Directory, create a finished visual work in any 2D or 3D medium such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textiles, mixed media, or digital art, and write a 500-1,000-word Impact Statement addressing the hero’s contribution and your creative interpretation. Your submission will be judged on artistic quality, conceptual originality, and the strength of your connection to the hero’s story. Winning and finalist works are featured on the ARTEFFECT website, and selected pieces are displayed in physical exhibitions.
6. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Location: Virtual
Cost/Award: Free to enter | Cash awards of $50 for Honorable Mentions to $1,000 for the Gold Award
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: Submissions accepted from September – June
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Students ages 11-18 enrolled in middle or high school worldwide
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest invites you to explore ocean conservation through original creative work. Each year has a distinct theme, with the current theme, “Your Story, Our Ocean,” asking you to examine how the ocean sustains, protects, or inspires you and your community. Works can be submitted in seven categories: handcrafted visual art, digital art, film, interactive & multimedia, performing arts (music & dance), poetry & spoken word, and creative writing. There are plenty of resources available to help you get started, both from an inspirational and technical point of view.
7. Embracing Our Differences International Art Exhibition
Location: Bayfront Park, Sarasota, FL, and Poynter Park, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost/Award: Free to enter | $2,000 cash award to be split with your school’s art or writing program
Cohort Size: 50 artworks selected for exhibition from thousands of international submissions
Dates: The exhibition is displayed from January 17 – April 19
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Students aged 13+ worldwide
Embracing Our Differences has run its annual international outdoor juried exhibition since 2004, with over 642,000 students having participated to date. You will create original artwork in any medium, including painting, photography, drawing, mixed media, or sculpture, that reflects the annual theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion”. Selected pieces are printed at billboard scale and displayed publicly for several months in Southwest Florida, reaching an audience of hundreds of thousands! A five-judge panel of professional artists, curators, and art professionals evaluates submissions based on artistic excellence, originality, and how effectively the work reads at billboard scale.
8. All-American High School Film Festival (AAHSFF)
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Award: Up to $65, depending on when you submit | Over $700,000 in prizes and scholarships awarded
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Dates: October 16 – 18
Application Deadline: Free submission deadline: March 2; Regular: April 27; Late: May 25; Final: July 3
Eligibility: Current high school students
The All-American High School Film Festival is one of the largest student film festivals in the world, offering multiple entry tracks including a standard film competition across drama, animation, documentary, comedy, and others. You will need to create and submit a short film of 20 minutes or less (varying by category), that can be animated, a sports feature, a comedy, a documentary, a journalistic piece, etc. Official Selections screen at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, and nominees and winners are announced live at the Teen Indie Awards Show. The festival also includes industry panels, technology showcases, workshops, and a large film and media arts college fair, giving you direct exposure to collegiate programs and industry professionals.
9. Sony World Photography Awards — Youth Competition
Location: Virtual; Winners exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards exhibition at Somerset House, London, UK
Cost/Award: Free to enter | Winners receive Sony digital imaging equipment and are included in the London exhibition and the annual book, while the overall winner earns the Youth Photographer of the Year title
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely competitive; Up to 10 photographers selected, out of which only one is named the winner
Dates: Competition period: June 1 – January 6; Exhibition: April 17 – May 4
Application Deadline: January 6
Eligibility: Photographers aged 19 and under worldwide
The Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition is one of the most internationally recognized photography contests for young image-makers, run by the World Photography Organisation. You will submit up to three photographs taken within the eligible calendar year, in any photographic style, genre, or approach, and all will be judged anonymously by an industry panel. Shortlisted photographers receive global exposure and fame, while the overall winner’s work is exhibited in London. Its global status, free entry, and high recognizability make it a solid option for students serious about photography.
10. National PTA Reflections Program
Location: Nationwide; Participation organized through school-based PTAs/PTSAs at the local, state, and national levels
Cost/Award: Free to enter | Medals and certificates offered, with silver medalists receiving $200 and gold medalists $800
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 7 students receive the top Outstanding Interpretation Award nationally each year
Dates: Local submission deadlines: Fall in fall/early winter; State PTAs advance entries to National PTA by March 1; National winners are announced by May 1
Application Deadline: Varies by state and local PTA
Eligibility: Students in grades Pre-K through 12 attending a school with an active PTA/PTSA
The National PTA Reflections Program has supported student arts participation for over 50 years and receives entries from hundreds of thousands of students each year. Each year has a distinct theme, for which you must create an original work in one of six categories—dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, or visual arts—and submit it through your school PTA along with an artist’s statement. Work advances through school, council or district, and then state levels before reaching national review, where two rounds of judging by arts professionals evaluate creativity, technical skill, and how closely the work interprets the theme. The winning work at the national level is featured in a virtual exhibition.
11. Science Without Borders Challenge
Location: Virtual
Cost/Award: Free to enter | 1st place: $500, 2nd place: $350, 3rd Place: $200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective; 3 prizes per group
Dates: Open fall through March 2
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Students ages 11-19 enrolled in primary or secondary school worldwide
The Science Without Borders Challenge is a free international art competition run by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. Similar to other international art competitions, there is an annual theme, with the most recent one being “Microscopic Marine Life,” inviting artwork that reveals the role of tiny ocean organisms in sustaining marine ecosystems and the broader planet. You must submit an original, hand-drawn or painted, two-dimensional work using eligible media such as paint, pencil, marker, crayon, ink, felt, or oil pastel. Along with your artwork, you will submit an artist’s statement explaining how your piece relates to the theme. A panel of artists, educators, and scientists evaluates entries using a published grading rubric that considers artistic quality, originality, and adherence to the theme. If you want to challenge your physical art creation skills, this is a good opportunity.
12. Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest
Location: Virtual
Cost/Award: Free to enter | Art supplies, fishing gear, or calendar features are awarded; State 1st place winners advance to national competition
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Open fall through February 28 (U.S applicants); March 31 (international applicants)
Application Deadline: February 28 (U.S. participants); March 31 (international participants)
Eligibility: Students in grades K-12 worldwide
The Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest is a free, conservation-focused competition run by Wildlife Forever, a nonprofit based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, with partner organizations in 18 U.S. states and international participation. You will research a wild fish species, usually native to your area, and then create an original, hand-drawn or painted illustration using traditional media. Artwork is evaluated by four age divisions (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12) at the state level by regional wildlife and art judges. Each state’s 1st place winners advance to national judging. The winning work is displayed at state partner venues, featured in state fish calendars, and recognized nationally.
13. Cooper Hewitt National High School Design Competition
Location: Virtual
Cost/Award: Free to enter | Select entries’ designs are showcased publicly online
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; 5 regional winners selected from the national pool of 700+ typical submissions
Dates: January 6 – February 2; Regional winners announced: April 7; Virtual Regional Winners Day: May 16
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students residing in the U.S.
The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum runs this annual competition to challenge students to respond to an open-ended design brief tied to a real-world issue. The previous prompt was “What would you design for your community’s future?” and was framed around the United States’ 250th anniversary. Applicants were asked to first identify an existing design from their community’s history, then propose an original new design intended to serve the community for the next 250 years. Entries are evaluated on innovation, impact, relevance to the challenge, and clarity of communication. Regional winners participate in a virtual program with working designers and Smithsonian staff, and all featured and winning entries are displayed on Cooper Hewitt’s website.
14. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program
Location: National, with state-level judging
Cost/Award: Free to enter | State prizes vary, and national scholarships are awarded to the top three national artists
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Each state selects one Best of Show entry to advance nationally, from over 13,000 entries nationwide
Dates: Varies by state; National competition is typically held in April
Application Deadline: Varies by state; Mostly February 1 – March 15
Eligibility: K-12 students attending public, private, or homeschool in the U.S. or U.S. territories, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Junior Duck Stamp Program has run continuously since 1991 and reaches more than 13,000 students annually. You will study waterfowl biology and wetland ecology using the program’s four-part science and art curriculum, then create an original, hand-drawn or hand-painted illustration of a native North American duck, goose, or swan species using traditional media, i.e., ink, paint, pastel, crayon, pencil, scratchboard, airbrush, linoleum printing, or paper collage. Artwork is judged at the state level by panels of wildlife and art experts, and each state’s Best of Show advances to the national competition, where a panel of five judges selects the overall winner. That winning design is produced as the official federal Junior Duck Stamp, making this one of the only student art competitions in the country where your work can become an officially issued and nationally distributed U.S. stamp!
15. VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Location: Physically submitted at the state level
Cost/Award: Free to enter | A $5,500 prize pool
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very competitive; 1 winner per participating local VFW Auxiliary advances to the state level, and 1 state winner to the national; More than 4,000 high school students participate nationally each year
Dates: Local VFW Auxiliary: March 31; State winner submissions are sent to national headquarters by May 5
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
The VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest is one of the longest-running patriotic art competitions for high school students in the United States. To compete, you must create an original two-dimensional artwork on canvas or paper using watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker, or similar traditional media that expresses your vision of patriotism. Along with your artwork, your written explanation describing how patriotism is expressed in the piece is judged alongside your visual work. Entries are judged first at the local VFW Auxiliary level, with one winner per sponsoring Auxiliary advancing to state judging, and state 1st place winners then competing for the national awards pool of $5,500.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Living Oceans Foundation