Art & Creative Writing Scholarships
For visual artists and writers — usually judged on a portfolio or submission.
9 programs · up to $187,500 in combined top awards · updated Oct 14, 2026
- ✓ VerifiedMerit
VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay
Veterans of Foreign WarsAwardUp to $35,000DeadlineOct 31, 2026Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ VerifiedMerit
JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library FoundationAward$1,000–$10,000DeadlineJan 11, 2027 · 23:59 New York timeGrades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ Verified
AFSA National High School Essay Contest
American Foreign Service AssociationAwardUp to $2,500DeadlineLast cycle is closed; winners are notified in June. Next deadline not yet posted.Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ Verified
Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests
Ayn Rand InstituteAwardUp to $25,000DeadlineNext deadline listed as “TBD — coming soon.”Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ Verified
Communities Foundation of Texas — Universal Scholarship Application
Communities Foundation of TexasAwardAmount variesDeadlineUniversal application reopens January 2027; each fund has its own deadline (2026 deadlines ran Feb 13 – May 15).Texas residents🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ VerifiedMerit
Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Davidson InstituteAward$25,000–$100,000DeadlineOpens fall 2026; exact deadline not yet published.Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ Verified
Optimist International Essay Contest
Optimist InternationalAwardUp to $2,500DeadlineClub contests are held by early February; your local club sets the exact deadline.Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ VerifiedMerit
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Alliance for Young Artists & WritersAward$500–$12,500DeadlineRegional deadlines vary (usually winter) — not listed on the scholarships page.Grades 9, 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial → - ✓ VerifiedMerit
YoungArts National Arts Competition
National YoungArts FoundationAwardAmount variesDeadlineOpens Summer 2027; exact dates not yet published.Grades 10, 11, 12 · Open nationwide🔒 See requirements & apply — free 3-day trial →
See which of these your child qualifies for
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Common questions
- How many art & writing scholarships does TryScholarships list?
- 9 programs right now, with top awards adding up to $187,500. 9 of them are fully verified against the sponsor's official site; the rest are marked so you know to confirm details before applying.
- What is the next art & writing scholarship deadline?
- VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay closes Oct 31, 2026. Deadlines are tied to the current award year, and unconfirmed dates are labeled.
- Do I have to pay to apply for these scholarships?
- No. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and none of the programs listed here should. TryScholarships charges only for its own matching, planning and reminder tools — never to apply.
- How do I see the full requirements and which ones my child qualifies for?
- A parent or guardian starts the free 3-day trial and adds a 5-minute profile for each child. TryScholarships then shows every program's full requirements and official application link, checks each eligibility rule — grade, GPA, state, major, test scores and more — and explains why your child matches or what's missing.