Colorado Art Awards, Scholastics Program

The Colorado Affiliate of the Scholastics Art & Writing Awards started over 70 years ago by a group of art educators from across the state. Over the years, the program has been a volunteer organization with teachers at the helm. With an annual 4,000 student artwork submissions to adjudicate, 800 state awards issued, a state ceremony with about 1,300 youth and families, and program celebration online for expanded engagement, it is no small feat to organize and arrange for the annual program. 

With a desire to grow youth engagement and lessen the burden on educators, the program leaders implemented a new structure in 2019 to incorporate youth as leaders in the exhibition, promotion, and business side of the art competition. After three successful years with a handful of students, the program received a state grant to expand and provide a rigorous and robust program for youth that engages them in a way not possible without strong community and industry partnerships. 

Fast forward to 2023 - over 35 students participated in the programming and 20 of the students were "Ambassadors" both within the Scholastics program and community. They not only assisted with in person programming such as the awards ceremony and exhibition install, they learned about the business of arts at the DAM, Meow Wolf, Meiningers, 40 West Gallery, Mile High Framing, the Mountain Music Festival, and Ink Lounge. 

This school year, we continue to offer the Colorado Ambassador program for youth and continue to offer the exhibition and state awards ceremonies and events. In order to continue to serve the growth of the program and the robust exhibition needs, our volunteer team needs to grow in to an organization with defined roles and responsibilities and shared leadership plan. To meet these goals, the organization seeks to expand grants, philanthropic giving, and sponsorship to provide coordinator stipends and operational costs associated with selecting an executive director.