Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest (2-Dimensional)

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary's Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.

Geographic Scope: United States, its territories and possessions; dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools

Focus Areas:

• Patriotic art themes
• Promotion of patriotism in youth
• Recognition of emerging artists

Eligibility:

• Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline
• Enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school or home study program
• Dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools are eligible
• U.S. citizenship is NOT required, but students must be:
  • Permanent residents, OR
  • Have applied for permanent residence status (application not denied)
• INELIGIBLE:
  • Foreign exchange students
  • Students age 20 or older
  • GED and adult education students
  • National winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests

Award Details:

• First-place national winner receives $15,000 scholarship
• First-place winner from each state competes for national awards
• Total of $37,000 in national awards distributed
• State-level winners advance to national competition

Not Accepted:

• Digital art
• Photography
• Weapons imagery
• 3-D printed art
• Jewelry

Contact Information:

• VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters
• 406 W. 34th St., 10th Floor
• Kansas City, MO 64111
• Phone: 816.561.8655
• Fax: 816.931.4753
• Email: info@vfwauxiliary.org

Application Process

Timeline:

• March 31: Student Entry Deadline to VFW Auxiliary (required)
• April 15: VFW Auxiliary winners due to Department (state) Scholarships Chairman for judging (required)
• May 5: VFW Auxiliary Department (state) Winners to VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters (required)

Required Materials & Specifications:

Artwork Requirements:

• Two-dimensional art only
• Must be on canvas or paper
• Acceptable media: Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker, or other media taught in school
• DO NOT frame two-dimensional pieces
• Canvas entries must be on a stretcher frame or canvas board
• Reinforce the back with heavy paper
• Mats (including mounted and floating mats) are acceptable
• Size requirements:
  • Minimum: 8" × 10"
  • Maximum: 18" × 24" (INCLUDING mat)

Entry Documents:

1. Completed entry form (attach to back of artwork)
2. Typed explanation of patriotism expressed in artwork:
   • 250 words or less

Submission Format:

• Physical artwork mailed to VFW Auxiliary by March 31 deadline
• Entry form completed and attached to back of artwork
• Written patriotism explanation included with submission