Calling All Young Artists! Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2025

With the rapidly growing areas of tech and AI at the forefront of most educators and schools' minds, the creativity of students across the Lower Mainland has not wavered. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to uplift, nurture, and celebrate the hardwork and achievements of young, aspiring artists.

Art Village Visual Arts School has the honour of serving as the BC Lower Mainland’s Art Regional Partner for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. I am writing to share an exciting opportunity for students in our region to participate in one of the longest-running and most prestigious creative recognition programs in North America. 

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Gold and Silver Keys displayed on top of promotional Scholastic flyers.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, established in 1923 and based in New York, have a rich history of celebrating teen creativity, with notable alumni including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol. For decades, the Awards have served as a launchpad for emerging artists and writers, helping them gain opportunities for national recognition, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships for their talent and hard work.

Art Village has been the Art Regional Partner for BC for two years now, making this year the third! Take a look at some of the highlights from our 2025 awards ceremony earlier this year held at the Chandos Pattison Auditorium in Surrey.

Students receiving a specialized Art Village award containing gifts from Opus Art Supplies.

The ceremony featured speeches from our 3 American Vision Nominees in which they described in depth the process and ideas behind their awarded artworks.

Attendees participated in drawing on a collaborative free-standing mural that served to recognize the creativity of all awardees and as a photo backdrop.

Yellow roses given to each awardee.

Calling All Young Artists!

As we continue this tradition, I would like to extend an invitation to any young aspiring artists you may know to participate in this exceptional program this year 2025-2026. Whether you're an arts instructor in a public school or private art studio, this message is for you and your students grade 7 to 12!

This is the second year in which the competition will grant awards by grade which provides younger students with more opportunities to gain recognition. To celebrate our students’ achievements, we plan to host an awards ceremony in early 2026 to showcase the talented young artists and their dedicated teachers from across the region. It promises to be a memorable event, honoring the creativity and hard work of all participants. 

I hope you will consider incorporating this opportunity into your studio or classroom. Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in learning more or would like support in guiding your students through the application process. We, Art Village, look forward to celebrating the creative talents of our young artists with you this year!