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What is the deadline to submit?

The deadline for the Colorado Affiliate is January 6th, 2026. Incomplete submissions (no photo, artwork details or school information) will be removed from the system after this deadline and will not be adjudicated. Submissions only missing parent approval or payment will be permitted into adjudication this year by special national permission. We will reach out with permission requests if needed after regional awards are announced.

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What if I am having technical issues with the NATIONAL SYSTEM?

Visit the national blog which provides support for the technical issues with the national system.

Video tutorials are also available for students and educators who want help with the entry process.

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When will I be notified if I received an award?

Yes, All participants will receive a National Notification at the end of January 2026 however, the Colorado Art Region will announce selected artwork on this website on January 13th, 2026 in order for artwork to be prepared for the artwork exhibition. Plan to check the website - email communication within the national system may be later than artwork drop off.

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Do I receive an awards certificate?

Yes! All awards certificates will be available for students to directly print from their national artandwriting.org account.

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I missed the awards ceremony. How do I pick up my Gold or Silver Key Pin?

You may pick up your award pin at artwork pick up.

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How many pieces of artwork are in a portfolio?

The 2025-2026 Scholastics portfolio submission requires six (6) images of art.

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How is the artwork regionally adjudicated?

Professional artists, professors, and retired teachers adjudicate all submissions in the Colorado Region. All grades will be judged separately. They look for personal voice, originality, and technical skill. Colorado’s Gold Key awardees are then sent to the national level where they compete with Gold Key awardees from other states.

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How will I be notified if I received a regional award?

Awards will be posted at coloradoartawards.org on January 13, 2026 depending on when the NATIONAL SYSTEM provides our regional awards report and all artwork undergoes plagiarism and AI checks. Offical, national notification will be later in the month. 

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Is there a limit to how many a student can enter?

No, however, for photography a student is allowed to submit a maximum of sixteen (16) individual submissions. A student can submit up to two (2) art portfolios. These are National Rules.

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Is there a size limitation for artwork?

There is NO size limitation for submissions. However, Artwork greater than 40" x 40" will not be displayed at the Colorado regional exhibition due to space constraints. Consider if artwork can be photographed or reproduced at a smaller size (digital categories) and provide at artwork drop off.

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Is there a submission form?

Yes, approval and fee wavier options are now embedded within the national system. Exhibited regional awarded artwork will need to have a completed exhibition form. Artwork without exhibition forms will not be accepted at artwork drop off. 

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Do educators approve the submissions?

Educators will NOT be required to approve submissions this year. 

 

Will there be an exhibition of the regional awards?

Awarded artwork will be displayed at the Denver Art Museum and 40 West Gallery. Artwork greater than 40" x 40" will not be able to be displayed at the in-person regional exhibition due to space constraints.

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Where do I drop off and pick up my artwork for the Colorado Regional Exhibition?

All artwork will need to be dropped off / picked up at Mile High Framing.

7951 W Mississippi Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226

Artwork Drop off

Friday, January 23      2 - 5pm

Saturday, January 24 10 - 4pm

Sunday, January 25   12 - 4pm
 

Artwork Pick Up

Saturday, March 14 10 - 4pm

Sunday, March 15   12 - 4pm

DO NOT CONTACT THE FRAME SHOP. THEY ARE ONLY THE LOCATION FOR PICK UP AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU WITH PROGRAM QUESTIONS.

CONTACT info@coloradoartawards.org for questions or requests for mailing.

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Will there be an awards ceremony?

Yes! The awards ceremony will be IN-PERSON at the Denver Art Museum on Saturday, February 28, 2026. It will be held by school groups - times TBA, mark your calendar now for this date. All students who receive an award should attend the awards ceremony during their school time slot.

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Where do I get my awards certificate? 

The national system allows for all students to access and print their certificate(s): artandwriting.org

 

Additionally, silver and gold key regional awardees will receive a key pin at the regional awards ceremony. Those who attend the ceremony will receive key pins or an be picked up at the artwork pick up at the end of the exhibition period, scheduled for March 14 & 15, 2026 at 7951 W Mississippi Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226. No certificates or pins will be mailed.

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