Jumping into arts and writing competitions is like diving into a vibrant playground of creativity where every brushstroke and word can spark magic! These contests are not just about winning; they’re an exhilarating adventure that invites students to unleash their wild imaginations and showcase their unique flair. Imagine transforming your thoughts into a dazzling painting or spinning a tale that whisks readers away to fantastical worlds—how cool is that? Each entry is a chance to strut your stuff, connect with fellow creative spirits, and maybe even discover hidden talents you never knew you had! Plus, the thrill of sharing your work with others can be downright electrifying. Who knows? Your story or artwork could inspire someone else to dream big! So grab your paintbrush, fire up your keyboard, and let your creativity run wild. Beyond this, arts and writing competitions will help with your college applications. What’s not to love?
This month, we’ll begin to share a series of the 150 of the best and most exciting arts and writing competitions that high school students can join, each one is better than the next! We’ll post contests with deadlines coming up.
We hope you’ll jump right in and try your hand at one or all of these wonderful writing competitions! At Opus College Prep, there’s nothing we like better than guiding students to realize their full potential.
General Tips for Arts and Writing Competitions for High School Students
Start Early: Avoid last-minute submissions by planning ahead.
Follow Guidelines: Ensure your submission aligns with rules and themes.
Practice Editing: Whether art or writing, polish your work to perfection.
Seek Feedback: Engage mentors and peers to refine your creations.
Show Authenticity: Stand out by being genuine and original.
January Deadlines for Art and Writing Competitions
Northeastern University – London Essay Competition
Prompts provided in humanities and social sciences.
Grade 12 only
Deadline: October 1, 2025 – January 6, 2025
Short Story
“Entries must take inspiration from quantum physics and be no longer than 1000 words.”
Ages 13+
Alternates between sci-fi and sci films each year.
Deadline: January 8, 2025
The competition offers an opportunity for writers to have their stories published in an anthology. The collection includes 37 stories shortlisted from the 2013, 2015, and 2017 editions of the competition. Key details about the Quantum Shorts competition:
- Story length: Maximum 1000 words
- Theme: Inspired by quantum physics
- Eligibility: Ages 13+
- Alternates between short fiction and short films each year
- The winning and shortlisted stories are compiled into a free e-book. While the specific monetary prize is not mentioned in the search results, the competition provides exposure for writers through publication in the Quantum Shorts anthology.The competition is run by the Centre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore and has media partners including Scientific American and Nature.
VSA Playwright Discovery Competition
Grades 6-12 / Ages 11-18
Ten-minute play, screenplay, or music theater exploring the disability experience
Written by young writers with disabilities and collaborative groups that include students with disabilities
Deadline: January 10, 2025
Winners of the VSA Playwright Discovery Competition receive several significant benefits:
- Cash Prize: Each winner is awarded $1,000. If the script is co-authored by two students, they will share this prize equally, receiving $500 each.
- Workshops: Winners gain exclusive access to participate in workshops organized by the Kennedy Center. These workshops are designed to help participants develop their scripts further and provide insights into the theater industry.
- Mentorship and Networking: Participants will have the opportunity to work with industry professionals, receiving coaching and mentorship throughout the program. This includes networking opportunities that can be beneficial for future endeavors in the arts.
- Script Development: The program focuses on developing ten-minute scripts, allowing winners to refine their work with feedback from theater professionals and peers.
Overall, the VSA Playwright Discovery Competition not only offers financial rewards but also invaluable educational experiences and professional connections for young writers with disabilities.
Atkins Center for Ethics Essay Contest
Carlow University
Grades 11 and 12
Deadline: January 15, 2025
The Atkins Center for Ethics Essay Contest is an annual competition organized by Carlow University for high school juniors and seniors (Grades 11 and 12). Here are the key details:
- Topic: The contest focuses on ethics and dystopian novels. The specific essay prompt is “Bleak New World – Ethics and the Dystopian Novel”.
- Essay Requirements:
- Length: 600 to 800 words
- Format: Microsoft Word document
- Content: Should address the topic in an articulate, clear, and organized manner
- Judging Criteria:
- Thorough and well-organized response to the prompt
- Ability to explore and discuss ethical concepts
- No particular ethical perspective is imposed; students can express themselves freely
- Prizes:
- 1st Place: $600
- 2nd Place: $300
- 3rd Place: $100
Submission: Essays should be sent to [email protected]
The contest encourages students to explore moral values through the lens of dystopian fiction, which often depicts oppressive or degraded future societies. Examples of dystopian novels mentioned include “The Hunger Games,” “Brave New World,” “1984,” “The Giver,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Fahrenheit 451”.
This competition is part of Carlow University’s initiative to develop student leaders and promote civil discourse on moral and social issues facing our country and the world today.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Sponsored by the JFK Memorial Library and John Hancock
This essay competition focuses on acts of political courage.
Grades 9-12
Eligibility: Grades 9–12.
Deadline: January 17, 2025 postmark
Categories: Historical and political essays.
Awards: Scholarships up to $10,000.
Tips:Research thoroughly to ensure factual accuracy. Write with clarity and purpose to inspire readers.
The Rising Voices Awards
Poetry, Fiction, Critical Writing
Ages 13-18
Deadline: January 31, 2025
Categories: Participants can submit works in three genres:PoetryFictionCritical Writing
The Rising Voices Awards aim to celebrate and amplify the voices of young writers, particularly those who may not have had opportunities to showcase their talents. The competition seeks to highlight the perspectives of youth in literature and encourage them to engage with important themes through their writing. This contest is notable for its collaborative nature, involving seven youth literary magazines:
- The Stirling Review
- The Incandescent Review
- SeaGlass Literary
- The Globe Review
- The Trailblazer Review
- HaluHalo Journal
- Outlander Zine
- Additionally, it partners with Humanity Rising, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering young people through creative expression.
Outdoor Writers Association of America
Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards
Grades 6-8 or 9-12
For outdoor-oriented works.
Deadline: January 31, 2025
The competition is open to students in grades 6-8 and 9-12, encouraging them to create outdoor-oriented works. Submissions can be made between December 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. This contest aims to inspire young writers to express their experiences and perspectives related to the outdoors while providing them with valuable recognition and rewards for their efforts. Winners of the Norm Strung Youth Writing Awards, organized by the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), receive the following prizes:
- Cash Prizes:1st Place: $2002nd Place: $1003rd Place: $50
- Membership: Each winner will also receive a yearlong OWAA Student Membership, valued at $30.
- Recognition: Winners’ names will be included in a nationally distributed press release, and their works will be published in OWAA’s magazine, Outdoors Unlimited.
February Deadlines for Art and Writing Competitions
Bluefire 1000-word Story Contest, Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation
Grades 6-12 ; Deadline: February 1, 2025
Winners of the Bluefire 1000-word Story Contest, organized by the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation, receive the following prizes:
- Cash Prize:
- Two top prizes of $1,000 each are awarded—one for students in grades 6-8 and another for students in grades 9-12.
- Publication Opportunity:Winning entries may be published online and featured in the annual Bluefire journal, providing valuable exposure for young writers. The contest invites submissions of previously unpublished flash fiction that is exactly 1,000 words long. It aims to encourage creativity among young authors while recognizing their literary talents. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2025.
Fiction in which the main character is a female who uses engineering skills to solve a problem.
Grades 3-12, Deadline: February 1, 2025
Winners of the EngineerGirl Writing Contest receive the following prizes:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place: $500
These prizes are awarded to entries based on their grade categories, which include students from grades 3-12. Additionally, winning entries, along with honorable mentions, will be published on the EngineerGirl website, providing further recognition for the authors’ work. The contest encourages participants to write fiction featuring a female main character who uses engineering skills to solve a problem, promoting both creativity and interest in engineering among young writers. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2025.
Gannon University High School Poetry Contest
Grades 9-12, Deadline: February 1, 2025
Winners of the Gannon University High School Poetry Contest receive several prizes, including:
- Monetary Award: Winners are awarded cash prizes for their submissions.
- Signed Book: Each winner receives a signed book from the distinguished featured poet who participates in the Writing Awards Night.
- Publication: Winning poems are published in the Awards program, providing recognition and exposure for the authors.
The contest is open to high school students in grades 9-12, and submissions must be sent by the deadline of February 1, 2025. The winners are celebrated during the Gannon Writing Awards Night, which includes readings and seminars from notable poets.
Go On Girl! Scholarships Aspiring Writer and Unpublished Writer
Each has unique criteria; See website
Deadline: February 1, 2025
Winners of the Go On Girl! Scholarships for aspiring and unpublished writers receive several benefits:
- Scholarship Amount: The specific scholarship amounts vary based on the criteria for each category (Aspiring Writer and Unpublished Writer).
- Recognition: Recipients gain recognition for writing achievements, which can enhance resumes and portfolios.The deadline for applications is February 1, 2025.
Narrative High School Writing Contest
Prompt provided in guidelines.
Grades 9-12, Deadline: February 5, 2025
Winners of the Narrative High School Writing Contest receive the following prizes:
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $250
- Third Place: $125
The contest invites high school students in grades 9-12 to submit narratives based on prompts provided in the guidelines. The deadline for submissions is February 5, 2025. This competition aims to encourage young writers to express their creativity and storytelling abilities while offering them the chance to earn recognition and monetary rewards for their work.
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People
Open to books published in the previous year FOR young readers.
Categories: Pre-K to Grade 3; Grades 4-6; Grades 7-12
Deadline: February 1, 2025
Winners of the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People receive a monetary award of $1,000 in each of the following categories: Pre-K to Grade 3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-12
The prize is awarded to one or more books in each category that are deemed outstanding by the judges, based on their literary quality and appeal to young readers. The contest is open to books published in the previous year, and submissions must be accompanied by an application form along with three copies of each book. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2025, and winners will be announced in spring 2025. This award aims to recognize and promote exceptional literature for young audiences.
Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, Chapman University
Grades Middle and High School
Deadline: Postmark February 2, 2025 or by February 5, 2025 for digital submissions
Winners of the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest at Chapman University receive several significant prizes:
- Grand Prizes: There will be four grand prize winners—two in the writing category and two in the art category. Each grand prize winner will be awarded a trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Teacher Recognition: The teachers of the four grand prize winners will each receive a $100 gift as recognition for their support and guidance.
- Publication: All winners will have their works featured on the website of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center and in the Milwaukee Jewish Chronicle, providing exposure for their creative efforts.
The contest encourages middle and high school students to engage with themes related to the Holocaust through various forms of artistic expression, including essays, poetry, visual art, and multimedia projects. The deadline for submissions is either postmarked by February 2, 2025, or submitted digitally by February 5, 2025.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship, Davidson Institute, Reno, NV
Ages 18 and under as application date
For completion of a significant work in STEM or Humanities categories
Deadline: February 14, 2025
Winners of the Davidson Fellows Scholarship receive substantial financial awards based on their significant work in STEM or Humanities categories. The scholarship offers:
- Scholarship Amounts:
- $50,000 for the top award.
- $25,000 for the second award.
- $10,000 for the third award.
These scholarships are aimed at gifted and high-achieving students aged 18 and under who have completed a significant project that has the potential to benefit society. The deadline for applications is February 14, 2025. In addition to the monetary awards, recipients gain recognition as part of a prestigious program that highlights their achievements and contributions in their respective fields, providing valuable opportunities for networking and further development in their academic and professional careers.
NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
For Juniors in the current academic school year
Students must be nominated by their school’s English Department
Deadline: February 15, 2025
The contest is open to juniors in the current academic school year, and students must be nominated by their school’s English department. The deadline for nominations and submissions is February 15, 2025. Winners of the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing receive the following benefits:
- Recognition: Winners are acknowledged for their exceptional writing skills, which can enhance their academic profiles and college applications.
- Certificates: Award recipients receive certificates that formally recognize their achievements in writing.
- Publication Opportunities: Winning entries may be published in a collection or featured by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), providing further exposure for the authors.
Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education Association
Grades 9-12 U.S. Public, Private, & Home Schools, Deadline: February 19, 2025
Winners of the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing receive the following benefits:
- First Place: $1,000 scholarship
- Second Place: $500 scholarship
- Third Place: $300 scholarship
These awards are designed to recognize exceptional writing among high school juniors in the United States. The contest requires students to be nominated by their school’s English department, and the deadline for submissions is February 19, 2025. Winning essays are also published on the official websites of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA), providing further recognition for the winners’ achievements in writing.
Curieux Research Scholarship Award
Middle or High School Students, Deadline: February 19, 2025
Winners of the Curieux Research Scholarship Award receive the following benefits:
- Financial Support: Each of the three selected winners will receive a scholarship of $500 to support their proposed research project.
- Recognition: Winners will be recognized for their academic achievements and their commitment to pursuing research in their areas of interest.
- Opportunity to Conduct Research: The scholarship provides funding that enables students to carry out their proposed research projects, which can enhance their educational experience and contribute to their academic growth.
The Curieux Research Scholarship is aimed at middle and high school students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal, including an outline, projected timeline, costs, and rationale for the study.
Open to High School Students Globally
Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction
Deadline: Open February 1 – February 28, 2025
Winners of the Polyphony Lit Black History Month Contest receive several notable benefits:
- Publication: Winning entries will be published in the upcoming volume of Polyphony Lit, providing significant exposure for the authors.
- Eligibility for Awards: Winners will be eligible for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, which recognize outstanding work in literature.
- Editorial Feedback: Winners will receive editorial feedback from the contest judge, offering valuable insights to help them refine their writing skills.
- Social Media Recognition: The winners will be announced through social media posts, further promoting their achievements.
- Scholarship Opportunity: Winners will receive a full scholarship for Polyphony Lit’s “How to be a Literary Editor” course, which allows participants to gain skills and potentially join the editorial staff of Polyphony Lit upon completion.
The contest is open to high school students globally and accepts submissions in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The deadline for submissions is from February 1 to February 28, 2025.
