The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2004 National Exhibition

The highly prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative young people in the United States, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards annually identifies outstanding students from more than 250,000 entrants. Each year, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards conducts a search for the best works of visual arts and writing produced in our nation’s junior and senior high schools. Featuring 225 student works, The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards of 2004 National Student Art Exhibition is on view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art from June 19 through August 2, 2004.

Throughout its 81-year history, The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have given early recognition to young artists and writers who have gone on to penetrate every field of creative endeavor. The Awards have recognized the talents of promising young Americans who have gone on to become some of our nation’s most celebrated artists and writers, including: Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates, Philip Pearlstein, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford and Andy Warhol, among other notables. Many of these creative professionals received their first recognition through The Awards at a time when this encouragement inspired them to pursuea career in the arts rather than following a “safer” career path.