Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12, ages 13+.

This prestigious national program has been an annual event in Colorado since 1947.

Each year, thousands of Colorado youth enter an average of 5,000 pieces of artwork into the program with the Colorado Art Region of Scholastic Art & Writing. Through the process of blind adjudication, exhibitions of award-winning work, recognition, and awarding of scholarships on the state and national levels students have opportunities that would not be possible without this program.
 
Judges look for work that best exemplifies originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, American Visions & Voices Nominations in the Spring of 2024 will receive Certificates of Merit. 

Notable artists with a Colorado connection who've previously received Scholastic Art Awards are: Quang Ho, Dale Chrisman, Mel Silverman, Donald Lipski, Robert Redford, Hugh Grant and Cal Duran.

Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold, Silver, American Visions & Voices, Portfolio Silver with Distinction or Portfolio Gold Medals and Special Awards.